APPLICATION OF PSEUDO-COLOR ENCODING OF BLACK-WHITE X-RAY FILMS IN DIAGNOSIS OF BRONCHOGENIC CARCINOMA / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

A technique utilizing an incoherent optical processing system for the pseudo-color encoding of black-white tomograms by density has been used in the clinical radiography. It is a useful method in showing some features of the lung lesions clinically espe- , cially peripheral bronchogenic carcinomas. 18 cases of round or oval-shaped peripheral bronchogenic carcinomas ranging from 1.0 to 4 cm in size and 4 cases of central cancers were studied. In addition, round-shaped pneumonia in 2 cases, tuberculoma in 1, and postinflammation pseudo-tumor and harmatoma were also examined as controls. It is often possible to observe some structures of the tumors preoperati-vely by its recognizing capability on the graydifferen-ce, such as carcinomatous infiltrations in 17 "V"sha-ped notch in 4, central necrosis in 6, scar-for-mations in 4 and lung collapse in another. It is shown that this procedure demonstrated irregularity of tumor masses and "V"shaped notch better than conventional tomograms. It is particularly useful in detecting significant scar formations which were almost indistinct on conventional tomograns. Furthermore, pseudo-color photographs are also of value in differentiating peripheral bronchogenic carcinomas from benign lesions such as round- shaped penumonia, tuberculoma, etc. Although it is not satisfactory in three cases of central cancers and one case of peripheral type, this new technique, as compapared with CT scan, seems to be a more sensitive and accurate diagnostic imaging procedure to help make a specific diagnosis. Ty pical cases are illustrated.