Objective: To analyze the CT image features of pneumonic-type lung cancer and to reduce misdiagnosis.
Methods: The CT findings of 46 patients with pneumonic-type lung cancer were retrospectively reviewed, and CT image in the differential diagnosis of this special kind of disease was evaluated.
Results: According to the extent of lesion, these cases were divided into two groups: multi-lobe consolidation group and single lobe consolidation group. The lesions in the latter group located in the upper, middle or lower lobe, respectively. Twenty-nine cases had homogeneous consolidation lesion, 14 cases showed single or multiple cysts and cavities in the lesions, 3 cases exhibited localized low density in the lesion. Forty-one cases shown the sign of air bronchogram with presentation of narrow air bronchogram in 25 of those. Forty cases showed well or ill defined ground-glass opacitiy surrounding the consolidation lesion. Fifteen cases had multi-nodules or opacities distributed in centrilobular or centric bronchiolar location. Of the 30 patients who received contrast medium, 23 showed distinct enhancement, and 7 showed indistinct enhancement with a positive CT angiogram.
Conclusion: CT findings including lower lobe distribution, homogeneous consolidation, narrow air bronchogram, well defined ground-glass and CT angiogram are helpful in differentiating pneumonic-type lung cancer from various kinds of infection. However, most of CT manifestations of pneumonic-type lung cancer are not specific. Therefore, it's necessary to combine CT findings with other clinical data when making diagnosis.