title: Prevalence of enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes in heavy smokers--a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the frequency of enlarged hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes in heavy smokers (more than 10 pack years) compared with non- smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study the CT findings of 88 consecutive patients (44 heavy smokers, 44 non- smokers) were analysed. Exclusion criteria were history of thoracic malignancy, sarcoidosis, occupational dust exposure or clinical evidence of pneumonia. Prevalence, size and site of enlarged lymph nodes were assessed by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and correlated with the cigarette consumption and the CT- findings of bronchitis and emphysema.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three of the 44 heavy smokers (52%) showed enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Non- smokers showed enlarged lymph nodes in 9% (4/44). The most common site of enlarged lymph nodes was the regional station 7 according to the ATS mapping (subcarinal). The difference between the frequency of enlarged lymph nodes in heavy smokers and non- smokers was significant (chi- square 19.3, p < 0.0001). Airway wall thickening and emphysema were often associated with an increased number of enlarged nodes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrates that enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes may occur in a rather high percentage of heavy smokers, especially in those with a MDCT finding of severe bronchitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Allgemeines Krankenhaus Hagen, Grünstraße 35, 58095 Hagen, Germany. Kirchner@akh-hagen.de
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kirchner
authors.forename: Esther Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kirchner
authors.forename: Jan Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Goltz
authors.forename: Vivian-Wilma
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kickuth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol