Comparison of high resolution CT findings of sarcoidosis, lymphoma, and lymphangitic carcinoma: is there any difference of involved interstitium?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine distinguishing features of three diseases that are distributed along the lymphatics.


METHODS
CT scans of 40 patients with lymphangitic carcinomatosis, 41 with sarcoidosis, and 44 with malignant lymphoma were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the degree of involvement of the interlobular septa, bronchovascular structures, subpleural interstitium, and other CT findings.


RESULTS
The number of thickened interlobular septa and the extent of involvement of the subpleural interstitium in lymphangitic carcinomatosis were higher than those in sarcoidosis and malignant lymphoma (p<0.0001). Nodules of >1 cm in diameter were more often seen in malignant lymphoma (41.0%) than in the other two diseases (p < 0.001). Bilateral distribution was more common in sarcoidosis (100%) than in the others (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The major difference among lymphangitic carcinomatosis, sarcoidosis, and malignant lymphoma is the greater involvement of the interlobular septa and subpleural interstitium in lymphangitic carcinomatosis than in either sarcoidosis or malignant lymphoma.
Honda
O
O
Department of Radiology, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Japan.
Johkoh
T
T
Ichikado
K
K
Yoshida
S
S
Mihara
N
N
Higashi
M
M
Tomiyama
N
N
Maeda
M
M
Hamada
S
S
Naito
H
H
Takeuchi
N
N
Yamamoto
S
S
Nakamura
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008205:Lymphangitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed