CT features in peripheral lung cancer with thin-walled cavity / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the CT features of peripheral lung cancer with thin-walled cavity, and to improve the understanding and diagnostic accuracy of this type of lung cancer. Methods Thirty-one patients (male18, female13, average age(56 ± 12)years old) with surgically proven peripheral lung cancer with thin-walled cavity were studied retrospectively. There were 28 cases of adenocarcinoma, 2 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 1 case of sarcomatoid carcinoma. All patients had MSCT examination, and the CT features of the solid lesion and thin-walled cavity of the lung cancer were analyzed. The relationship between solid lesion and thin-walled cavity location, cavity wall thickness and uniformity, wall nodules, vascularstructures close to the outer wall, septum or air-fluid level inside the cavity, and dynamic changes of the lesions were all evaluated. Results (1) Solid lesionmostly located in both upper and middle lobes of the lung in 21cases (67.7%). Lobulation, speculation and vessel convergence sign were observed in 27 cases (87.1%), 21 cases(67.7% )and 16 cases(51.6%) respectively. Twenty cases showed as ground glass nodule (GGN) (64.5%), with pure GGN in 11 cases(35.5%). (2) Cavitary lesion The average diameter was (2.7 ± 1.3) cm, the cavity located in the periphery of the solid lesions in 26 cases (83.9%),and in 20 cases (64.5%) located in the lateral or superior and inferior lateral aspect of the solid lesion;The cavity wall was uniform in17 cases (54.8%) and the wall thickness<2 mm were seen in 16 cases (51.6%), 2-3 mm were observed in 10 cases (32.3%);Wall nodules were seen in five cases (16.1%);Blood vessels adjacent to outer wall were found in 12 cases (38.7%);There was no air-fluid level in the cavity in all the cases;But septum with uneven thickness or small vessels were seen in the cavity in 27 cases (87.1%). Conclusions The majority of peripheral lung cancer with thin-walled cavity was adenocarcinoma, characteristic CT features of thin-walled cavitary lesions may be helpful in the diagnosis of this type of lung cancer.