Healed Varicella Pneumonia: A Case of Diffuse Pulmonary Microcalcifications

Abstract

Varicella pneumonia is a potentially fatal complication of the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which causes the well-known chickenpox disease of childhood. Identifying this type of pneumonia by characteristic features is important for radiologists and radiology residents. Typical manifestations of active Varicella pneumonia include diffuse pulmonary nodules, which may mimic other diseases. Healed Varicella pneumonia can present as diffuse, calcified pulmonary micronodules. We describe a case of healed Varicella pneumonia in a patient with a history of remote VZV infection.

Association between emphysema and other pulmonary computed tomography patterns in primary varicella pneumonia: A retrospective cohort study

“…Smoking can lead to decrease the activation of alveolar macrophages; it will increase the susceptibility to varicella pneumonia. As a complication from VZV, [ 5 ] varicella pneumonia usually presents with a primary varicella infection at first, [ 6 ] and then may develop tachypnoea, coach, fever, dyspnea, chest tightness, and even hemoptysis. The presenting characteristics is the main ones in diagnosing varicella pneumonia.…”