PLEURAL INVASION BY PERIPHERAL BRONCHOGENIC-CARCINOMA - ASSESSMENT WITH 3-DIMENSIONAL HELICAL CT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential role of three-dimensional (3D) comp uted tomography (CT) in assessment of pleural invasion by peripheral b ronchogenic carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four-second helic al CT scans were obtained during a single breath hold in 42 consecutiv e patients with peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma. Conventional two-di mensional (2D) images and 3D reconstruction images were reviewed indep endently by three blinded observers, who reached a decision by consens us. All patients underwent surgical resection of the tumor, and CT fin dings were correlated with the findings in pathologic specimens. RESUL TS: Twelve patients had visceral pleural invasion, five had parietal p leural invasion, and 25 had no evidence of pleural invasion. Visceral pleural invasion was identified on 2D CT images in two patients and on 3D reconstructions in 11. Parietal pleural invasion was identified on 2D CT images in two patients and on 3D reconstructions in three. CONC LUSION: 3D reconstruction imaging is superior to conventional 2D CT in assessment of pleural invasion by peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma.