RADIOGRAPHIC AND COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY (CT) IMAGING OF COMPLEX PLEURAL DISEASE

Pleural diseases encompass a variety of complex appearances that are d ependent on the underlying histologic features, location, and size. Ch est radiography remains the most common imaging modality in the evalua tion of suspected pleural disease. Computed tomography (CT) further de lineates the cross-sectional anatomy, allowing visualization of the en tire pleura, including the posterior recesses, mediastinal, and latera l pleural surfaces, which are frequently obscured on chest radiographs . CT imaging provides useful information to characterize the pleural d isease in terms of tissue composition, location, and extent of disease . Zn this article, we review the use of two noninvasive techniques: ch est radiography and computed tomography in the evaluation of complex p leural disease, benign and malignant pleural masses, pleural effusions , and pleural air collections.