Air-containing space in lung adenocarcinoma: high-resolution computed tomography findings.
OBJECTIVE
To disclose imaging features of air-containing spaces other than air bronchograms in lung adenocarcinoma on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed HRCT scans of 42 consecutive patients with surgically proved lung adenocarcinoma correlating with pathologic specimens.


RESULTS
Air-containing spaces were seen in 17 (40%) of cases on HRCT. The air-containing spaces appeared as multiple air densities (16 cases [94%]) with variable shapes and had a relatively larger size than that of air bronchograms. Internal septi were often noted (11 cases [65%]).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that multiplicity, larger diameter, and internal septi are the features of air-containing spaces. These findings could be a key to the definitive diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, distinguishing it from the mimics such as organizing pneumonia, tuberculoma, or malignant lymphoma.
Nambu
Atsushi
A
Department of Radiology, Kofu Municipal Hospital, Masutsubo-cho 366, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, 400-0832 Japan. nambu-a@Comlink.ne.jp
Miyata
Kazuyuki
K
Ozawa
Katsura
K
Miyazawa
Masahisa
M
Taguchi
Yuuko
Y
Araki
Tsutomu
T
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000388:Air; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014375:Tuberculoma / Q000175:diagnosis