[Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT patterns and pathologies of noncalcified pulmonary tuberculomas].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze characteristic CT enhancement patterns of noncalcified pulmonary tuberculomas and their pathological basis.


METHODS
Fifty-six patients with noncalcified pulmonary tuberculomas underwent surgical resection of the tuberculomas. Enhanced CT images of these tuberculomas were reviewed and analyzed in relation to the histological findings.


RESULTS
Of the 56 patients, 45 showed no enhancement in the tuberculomas, which were histologically characterized by central caseous necrosis and a poorly vascularized peripheral fibrotic zone. Eleven patients showed ring-like or eggshell enhancement, and the central low density region was histologically confirmed to be caused by caseous or liquefied necrosis, while the ring enhancement resulted pathologically from moderately or well vascularized peripheral fibrotic or granulomatous tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary tuberculomas consists mainly of caseous necrotic tissues characterized by no enhancement and ring or eggshell enhancement on dynamic contrast-enhanced CT.
Zhou
Yong-sheng
YS
Department of Radiology, Baoan People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518101, China. zhouyongsheng188@163.com
Su
Jin-quan
JQ
Xu
Xiao-mao
XM
Jiang
Qing-ping
QP
D000328:Adult; D002114:Calcinosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014375:Tuberculoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media