Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma: sonographic pattern of 'pneumonia'.
BACKGROUND
the sonographic pattern of bacterial pneumonia is predominantly well known and characterized by an air bronchogram, a marked vascularity on color Doppler sonography, and a high-impedance arterial flow pattern on Doppler spectral analysis.


METHODS
in a retrospective study the sonographic findings in seven patients with peripheral BAC on X-ray examination were evaluated in relation to number, size, margins, echomorphology and sonographic arterial flow patterns of the lesions.


RESULTS
the following sonomorphologic characteristics were found: multiple foci (n=4), single foci (n=3), smooth margins (n=5), irregular margins (n=2) and maximal diameter of size (range 5-15 cm). The echomorphology of the lesions was homogenously hypoechoic (n=1) or showed airbronchograms (n=6). Color Doppler sonography revealed a vascular tree pattern (n=5) or a marked presence of blood vessels (n=2). Doppler flow spectral analysis of arteries in investigated patients (n=5) demonstrates a high impedance (triphasic) flow pattern in four patients and a low impedance (monophasic) flow pattern in one patient.


CONCLUSIONS
these findings indicate that BAC frequently shows a sonographic pattern of 'pneumonia'.
Görg
Christian
C
Zentrum für Innere Medizin, Klinik für Hämatologie/Onkologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043, Marburg, Germany. goergc@mailer-uni-marburg.de
Seifart
Ulf
U
Holzinger
Ingelore
I
Wolf
Martin
M
Zugmaier
Gerhard
G
D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color