Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic lymphatic system

Maria Luisa Mennini; Carlo Catalano; Maurizio Del Monte; Francesco Fraioli

doi:10.1016/j.thorsurg.2011.12.009

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic lymphatic system

Thorac Surg Clin. 2012 May;22(2):155-60. doi: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2011.12.009. Epub 2012 Feb 4.

Authors

Maria Luisa Mennini¹, Carlo Catalano, Maurizio Del Monte, Francesco Fraioli

Affiliation

¹ Department of Radiological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, V.le Regina Elena 324, Roma 00161, Italy.

PMID: 22520282
DOI: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2011.12.009

Abstract

Several radiographic diagnostic techniques are currently available to assess the potential involvement of mediastinal lymph nodes in thoracic oncology. In particular, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have been repeatedly validated; these techniques allow adequate imaging with a reasonable accuracy. The morphologic information provided by these techniques is crucial to stage lung cancer and plan treatment. These techniques are also extremely useful to evaluate other disorders and differentiate malignancy from benign disease.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnosis
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / secondary
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
Lung Neoplasms / secondary
Lymph Nodes* / diagnostic imaging
Lymph Nodes* / pathology
Lymphatic Diseases / diagnosis*
Lymphatic Metastasis
Lymphography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
Mediastinal Neoplasms / secondary
Tomography, X-Ray Computed*