Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the tracheobronchial tree: Radiographic and CTfindings in 12 patients

PURPOSE: to determine the radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) findin gs and clinical features of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the tracheobronchia l tree. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chest radiographic and CT findings and clinical feat ures of 12 histopathologically proved mucoepidermoid carcinomas in 12 conse cutive patients (five male, seven female; age range, 9-72 years; mean age, 36 years) were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The tumors were located at the distal trachea (n = 1) or at a main (n = 2), lobar (n = 1), or segmental (n = 8) bronchus. On chest radiograph s, the tumors appeared as central masses with postobstructive pneumonia or peripheral atelectasis in four patients and as solitary pulmonary or endotr acheobronchial nodules in eight. At CT, the tumors were all smoothly oval ( n = 6) or lobulated (n = 6) in shape (ranging 9-40 mm in diameter), adaptin g to the branching features of the airways. Punctate calcification within t he tumor was seen in six patients. Neither metastasis nor recurrence was se en after the surgical resection (follow-up of 8-103 months; mean, 30 months ). CONCLUSION: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the tracheobronchial tree, usually located in a segmental bronchus, appears at CT as a smoothly oval or lobula ted airway mass. It adapts to the branching features of the airways.