High-Resolution CT of Small Peripheral-Type Lung Cancer

Using the high-spatial-frequency reconstruction algorithm and thin-section scanning, we have been able to obtain ”high-resolution” CT images of the lung parenchyma. To evaluate the usefulness of high-resolution CT (HR-CT) , first we compared HR-CT images, conventional CT images and surgically resected specimens of small peripheral type lung cancer. Next, the features of small peripheral type lung cancer in high-resolution CT were assessed, and finally correlations between bronchoscopic diagnostic rate and the presence of bronchial involvement were examined. HR-CT can show details more accurately than conventional CT, and HR-CT can show fourth order branches for bronchial involvement. In lung cancer, HR-CT shows notches in 13/13 (100%) of the patients and spiculation in 11/13 (85%), but pleural indentation is frequently observed in both lung cancer 12/13 (92%) and tuberculoma 6/6 (100%). Pulmonary vein involvement was observed in 9/11 (82%) of cases of adeno-carcinoma, but in 0/6 (0%) of cases of tuberculoma. Satellite lesions were observed in only tuberculoma cases in 4/6 (67%), and heterogeneous density was observed in only adenocarcinoma cases in 7/11 (64%). A 75% success rate of transbronchial biopsy or cytology was found in bronchial involvement positive cases, but no success in negative cases. HR-CT seems very useful for the treatment of lung cancer.

末梢型肺癌

high-resolution CT