COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY (CT) AND MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING (MRI) OF PLEURAL MASSES

Depending on the location, size, and underlying histologic features, p leural masses may produce a large spectrum of findings. While a number of imaging modalities may be used, plain chest radiographs remain the most common examination in the initial assessment of these patients. In this article, we review the use of two noninvasive techniques: comp uted tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. For die purpose of thi s review, localized pleural masses and diffuse pleural masses are disc ussed separately. Among die various pleural masses, metastatic disease represents the most frequent neoplasm.