CT Features of Primary Bronchogenic Carcinoma of Different Histologic Types: An Analysis of 50 Cases / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

The CT features of 50 cases of primary bronchogenic carcinoma of different histologic types, including 34 cases of squamous carcinoma (SC) of which 26 of the central trpe, 8 of peripheral; 4 cases of undiffcrentiated small cell carcionma(USCC)which were all of the central type, and 12 cases of adeno-carcionma of the peripheral type, were reviewed in the attempt to find out the relationship between the histologicatypes and clinical behaviors of the carcinomas. The central squamous carcinomas usually show a transbronchial growth to form masses in the lung parenchmas; when it extends along the bronchial wall, a branching mass in the pattern similar to the bronchial branches can be seen; when it extends along the vascular sheath, there will be accentuation of the vascular markings around the mass; and it can also spread via the lymphatics to the mediastinum or to the pleura retrogradely. The primary lesion of USCC usually is relatively small in size, but its metastatic lesions can fuse together to form a huge mediastihal mass. Consequently its diagnosis ran only be made on the findings of bronchial stenosis or obstruction. Bronchogenic carcinoma of the peripheral type usually arises from the wall of small air passages to form a solid mass in the parenchyma. Lobulations or protuberances of the mass with brushy margin and pleural indentation suggest the diagnosis. Deep lobulations with long brushy projections of the mass and bronchovascular convergence are characteristic features of an adenocarcinoma.