ECR 2013 / C-1163

CT findings of pulmonary diseases with cysts and/or cavities

Congress:

ECR 2013

Poster Number:

C-1163

Type:

Educational Exhibit

Keywords:

Lung, CT, Education, Cavitation, Cysts

Authors:

K. Aratani, T. Shonai, M. Tamakawa, N. Yama, T. Satoh, Y. Kawaai, M. Onodera, M. Asai, M. Hatakenaka; Sapporo/JP

DOI:

10.1594/ecr2013/C-1163

DOI-Link:

https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/ecr2013/C-1163

Learning objectives

To learn computed tomography (CT) findings of pulmonary diseases with cysts and/or cavities.

Background

There are many kinds of pulmonary diseases with cysts and/or cavities. Although chest CT is very helpful to clarify their locations, distributions, morphologic features and relations with surrounding structures, pulmonary cysts and/or cavities are non-specific and frequently seen in several conditions like emphysema, bronchiectasis, inflammatory disease and tumor, also seen in uncommon diseases.

Radiologists should be familiar with characteristics of pulmonary diseases with cysts and/or cavities to reach a correct diagnosis.

Imaging findings OR Procedure details

We presented clinical and radiological features of these diseases and discussed key findings to reach a correct diagnosis.

Definition

Lung cysts are well circumscribed lesions with a thin definable epithelial or fibrous walls (≦4mm, usually<1mm) of uniform thick. They may contain air, fluid or both.

Lung cavities are air spaces within consolidations, nodules or tumors. They have thicker walls (>4mm) than that of cysts. They can be irregular shape and have irregular margin.

The above distinction is useful because diagnostic considerations and approach differ for these two categories although some overlap exists. In particular, cystic lesions in the lungs are rarely malignant. However, malignancy is usually the first diagnosis to consider for a cavitary lesion, particularly in a middle-aged or older adult with a history of cigarette smoking.

We present the cases in 'Sidebar'.

Conclusion

Becoming familiar with CT findings of pulmonary diseases with cysts and/or cavities and interpreting those findings properly help reach a correct diagnosis.

Presented cases;

tuberculosis
aspergilloma
mucormycosis
granulomatosis with polyangiitis
metastasis from rectal carcinoma
septic emboli
pulmonary rheumatoid nodules
amyloidosis
infarction
metastasis from angiosarcoma of the scalp
invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma
abscess
intralobar sequestration
pulmonary langerhans cell histiocytosis
lymphangioleiomyomatosis
multicentric castleman disease
Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome

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