대한흉부영상의학회 Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology

Discussion

Diagnosis With Brief Discussion

Diagnosis

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma

Radiologic Findings

Brief Review

Bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma has a wide spectrum of pathologic and radiologic appearances. It typically has one of three radiologic patterns. Those are a solitary nodule (43%), consolidation (30%), and multicentric or diffuse disease (27%). Other associated features are pleural effusion (32%) and hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy (18%). Solitary nodules are located in the periphery of the lungs and show spiculated borders (star pattern, due to infiltrative tumor growth, localized lymphangitic spread, or desmoplastic reaction), pleural tags, bubblelike lucencies or pseudocavitation. Segmental or lobar consolidation can be caused by the combination of tumor growth along the alveolar wall and secretion of mucin. Production of mucin can cause swelling of the lobe, leading to bulging of interlobar fissure, and heterogenous attenuation in small masses or uniform low attenuation with CT angiogram sign in more confluent consolidation. In the third form, bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma may have a widespread multinodular pattern.

References

Keywords

Lung, Malignant tumor, Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma