ABSTRACT
Objective To study the imaging findings of pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (PLC) and discuss it′s clinical value. Methods The imaging materials of 40 cases with PLC which were proved by bronchoscopic or pleural or open-lung biopsy were retrospectively analyzed, and the clinical application of imaging diagnosis were investigated. Results The primary tumorous pathological types of PLC included:13 cases peripheral type carcinoma of lung,2 cases central type carcinoma of lung,11 cases mammary cancer,6 cases gastric carcinoma,4 cases pancreatic carcinoma,3 cases renal carcinoma,1 case colon carcinoma. The major imaging features of PLC were showed as pleural nodes, lobular core nodes, intralobular small reticular and nodular shadows, small beaded thickened interlobular septums, beaded thickened bronchovascular bundles, tumescent pulmonary hilar and/or mediastinal lymph nodes. Conclusion PLC possess relative imaging feature, particularly HRCT may accurately reflect pathological feature of PLC. Imaging diagnosis is a satisfactory method in diagnosing pulmonary lymphangial metastasis of malignant tumor.