High-resolution CT characteristics of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the peripheral lung: comparison with well differentiated adenocarcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to elucidate the characteristic high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (PDA) in comparison with those of well differentiated adenocarcinoma (WDA).


METHODS
We investigated the HRCT features of surgically resected PDAs (n=21) and WDAs (n=31). We analyzed the margin, CT attenuation, and internal architecture of the tumor and findings in the surrounding lung field, comparing them with the corresponding pathologic findings.


RESULTS
Smoothness of the greater part (full-1/2 round) of the tumor and solid appearance were more prevalent in PDAs than WDAs (81% vs. 32%, 100% vs. 35%) [p<0.01]. Air-bronchogram was prevalent in WDAs (58%), but was never seen in PDAs [p<0.01]. Ground-glass opacity in PDAs pathologically corresponded to inflammation and edema in the alveolar space.


CONCLUSIONS
Smoothness of the tumor margin and solid appearance without air-bronchogram were more commonly found in PDA than in WDA. HRCT may predict the histological differentiation of adenocarcinoma in selected cases in which differentiation is inconclusive by sputum cytology and transbronchial or CT-guided biopsy.
Yabuuchi
H
H
Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Murayama
S
S
Murakami
J
J
Hashiguchi
N
N
Soeda
H
H
Sugio
K
K
Masuda
K
K
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies