Lung mass imaging
Lung Mass Microchapters |
Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
Lung mass imaging On the Web |
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Lung mass imaging |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]
Overview
Computed tomography is the method of choice for the evaluation of lung masses. The evaluation and risk assessment of lung mass will depend on several characteristics, such as: shape, margins, location, distribution, and attenuation. Further evaluation of lung masses, should include other diagnostic studies, such as: bronchoscopy, sputum cytology, or mediastinoscopy. Other imaging study useful for the malignancy evaluation of lung masses is PET scanning, which may be helpful for the detection of occult disease and malignancy assessment.[1]
Imaging
Plain Radiograph
- On plain radiograph, characteristic findings of lung mass, include:[2]
- Rounded or spiculated mass
- Bulky hilum (representing the tumor and local nodal involvement)
- Lobar collapse
- Cavitation may be seen as an air-fluid level
- Pleural effusion
CT
- On CT scan, characteristic findings of lung mass, include:
- Single pulmonary nodule or mass
- Localized area of parenchymal consolidation
- Bubble-like areas of low attenuation within the mass are a characteristic finding
- Hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy is uncommon
- Persistent peripheral consolidation