CT characteristics of primary pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the CT characteristics of primary pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC). Methods CT characteristics of 14 cases with primary pulmonary saromatoid cacinoma confirmed by surgical pathology were analyzed retrospectively. Results Among the 14 cases, the clinical manifestations were chest pain and cough in 6 cases, cough with blood-stained sputum in 5 cases, chest tightness and asthma in 2 cases, and no symptoms in 1 case. All the 14 cases had solitary masses in the lung. Carcinoma of 7 cases located in the upper lobe of the right lung, and carcinoma of 1 case located in the inferior lobe of the right lung. Carcinoma of 3 cases was located in the upper lobe of the left lung, and 3 cases were found in the inferior lobe of the left lung. Eleven cases had peripheral tumors and 3 cases had central tumors. CT plain scan revealed an isodense mass. There were 12 cases with uneven mass density and necrosis, and 2 cases had uniform mass density. The smooth margin was identified in 7 masses, and ill-defined margin and lobulation was shown in 7 masses. Cavity was observed in 1 mass, and speckled calcification was seen in 1 mass. Pleural invasion and thickening was in 5 cases, pneumothorax occurred in 1 case, and there was 1 case of liver metastasis. Enhancement scan showed patchy or annular enhancement around the mass, and the central enhancement of the mass was not obvious or uneven patchy enhancement. Conclusions The CT characteristics of primary pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma are solitary masses in the lung, especially if the mass is located in the periphery of the upper lobe of the right lung with uneven density, and enhancement scan shows patchy or annular enhancement around the mass.