[Computed tomographic findings in diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma]. / Computertomographische Befunde bei diffusem malignen Pleuramesotheliom.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare tumour and often difficult to diagnose. In this report, the CT findings of 50 patients with proven malignant pleural mesothelioma are described and tabulated. In 31 cases the CT findings could be compared with the results of thoracotomy and thoracoscopy. CT proved reliable in evaluating the exact extent of the disease. Additionally, a combination of findings can be detected by CT, suggesting the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. The limitations of CT in malignant pleural mesothelioma are discussed.

[Malignant diffuse pleural mesothelioma: a comparison between computed tomography and the conventional chest x-ray]. / Malignes diffuses Pleuramesotheliom: Vergleich zwischen Computertomographie und konventioneller Thoraxübersicht.

The rate of incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma is increasing although diagnosis of this disease may be very difficult. Computed tomography examinations and conventional chest x-rays of 30 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma were reviewed independently, to evaluate the role of both modalities. CT offered the following advantages over conventional chest x-ray examinations: CT was more sensitive in detecting the smooth and nodular changes of malignant pleural mesothelioma, especially at the diaphragm and lower parts of the thorax, tumours could be better demonstrated at the pericardium and in the greater fissure, in some cases, where chest films showed just abnormal widening of the mediastinum, CT could differentiate between tumour involvement of the mediastinal pleura and local invasion of the mediastinum by the tumour, CT was more effective in detecting pleural calcifications and thickening of the contralateral pleura. CT proves more accurate in assessing the extent of the disease, and gives additional diagnostic help.