The early diagnosis of lung carcinoma with normal plain CT scan / 复旦学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the diagnosis for early stage lung cancer with "normal" plain CT scan in order to draw the concern of physician to these patients. Methods We reviewed and analyzed 3 cases of central bronchogenic carcinoma with normal plain CT scan at first visit who were confirmed through fiber bronchoscope examination and PET/CT scan later. Then we compared the values of some diagnostic methods for early-stage central bronchogenic carcinoma. Results Three patients were all males with long smoking history. They came to hospital for cough and bloody sputum. All their plain CT scan showed "no abnormal findings", but their symptom continued. Later, the fiber bronchoscope examination and PET/CT scan strongly suggested that they were suffered from central bronchogenic carcinoma, and then the pathological findings and sputum cytology confirmed the diagnosis. Two patients received lobectomy, and the other one was suggested to accept radiotherapy because of his poor lung function. Conclusions The positive rate of plain CT scan for early-stage central bronchogenic carcinoma is relatively low. Thus, some of these patients lost the chance of surgery and combined therapy. So physicians should pay more attention to these patients with symptoms of persistent bloody sputum or obstructive pneumonia, even if the plain CT scan is negative at first visit. Using PET/CT and fiber bronchoscope examination, physicians can confirm the diagnosis of central bronchogenic carcinoma. So these two methods are important in the diagnosis for early-stage central bronchogenic carcinoma without any abnormal plain CT scan findings.