CT SCANNING OF BRONCHIOLOALVEOLAR CARCINOMA - SPECIFIC APPEARANCES

We reviewed CT scans in 38 cases with pathologically proved bronchiolo alveolar carcinoma. CT revealed three CT patterns: solitary, pneumonic and diffuse forms. The solitary pattern (22 patients) had a high perc entage of air bronchograms (95%), pleural indentation (77%) and spicul ation (68%). The pneumonia-like pattern (16 lesions in 10 patients) ha d air bronchograms in all cases (100%), low attenuation (88%) and prot rusion of interlobar fissures (63%). The diffuse form (six patients) h ad 2 or 3 mm diffuse small nodules scattered throughout the entire lun g. CT of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma revealed many findings and was u seful in recognizing the tumor distribution and extent. We conclude th at CT is helpful for the diagnosis and evaluation of bronchioloalveola r carcinoma.