Correct!
2. The chest x-ray and lumbar puncture findings in this clinical setting suggest an infection involving the lung and brain
The chest x-ray shows multiple cavitary masses and the protein and nucleated cell count are elevated on the lumbar puncture. There are many causes for these findings although in this clinical situation with an immunocompromised patient with apparent acute changes, the major consideration is an infectious process involving the lung and brain. Blood and sputum cultures were performed but were negative. To further investigate the patient's illness a thoracic CT scan (Figure 2) and MRI of the brain (Figure 3) were performed.
Figure 2. Representative views in lung windows from the thoracic CT scan.
Figure 3. Representative images from the MRI of the brain.
What should be done next to investigate the patient's probable infection? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the third of 4 panels)