High-resolution CT in patients with intraluminal typical bronchial carcinoid tumors treated with bronchoscopic therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the extent to which high-resolution CT (HRCT) can predict the clinical outcome of bronchoscopic treatment with curative intent in patients with intraluminal typical bronchial carcinoid tumors.


METHODS
An observational study.


METHODS
Bronchoscopy unit and radiology department of a university hospital.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with intraluminal typical bronchial carcinoid tumors in the absence of nodal and distant disease were treated with bronchoscopic electrocautery or Nd-YAG laser as an alternative to surgical resection. Prior to treatment, HRCT was performed.


RESULTS
In 10 patients, HRCT showed no peribronchial tumor extension, and 9 of these patients were found to be tumor free after bronchoscopic treatment. So far during follow-up, none of these patients has had a recurrence of the tumor. The median duration of follow-up was 33 months (range, 13 to 68 months). In five patients, HRCT showed signs of peribronchial tumor extension. In three of these patients, specimens taken from biopsies performed after bronchoscopic treatment showed residual tumors, and salvage surgery was carried out. In three patients, HRCT was unable to assess peribronchial tumor extension: in two because of insufficient connective tissue contrast between the hilar structures and in one patient because of suboptimal scan technique.


CONCLUSIONS
HRCT findings were complementary but not conclusive in patients with intraluminal typical bronchial carcinoid tumors treated with bronchoscopic therapy. However, in a category of patients in whom HRCT showed strictly intraluminal tumors, bronchoscopic resection as an alternative for surgical resection seems justified.
van Boxem
T J
TJ
Departments of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Golding
R P
RP
Venmans
B J
BJ
Postmus
P E
PE
Sutedja
T G
TG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome