J Korean Radiol Soc.  2000 Jan;42(1):65-69. 10.3348/jkrs.2000.42.1.65.

CT Angiogram Sign: Differentiation of Malignant and Benign Lung Consolidation

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Medicine Chungbuk National University, Chung Buk, Korea. sjkim@med.chungbuk.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the frequency of the CT angiogram sign, as seen on spiral CT and to evaluate the usefulness of this sign in the differentiation of benign and malignant lung disease.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty patients with lung consolidation, as seen on mediastinal window setting were studied retrospectively and the frequency of the CT angiogram sign was determined. In cases in which the sign was present, the following points were analysed; 1) discontinuity of vessels; 2) the avascular zone; 3) abnormal vessels, 4) displacement of pulmonary vessels, 5) separation of bronchovascular bundles.
RESULTS
Of sixty patients with lung consolidation, 48 patients showed the CT angiogram sign; its frequency showed no significant statistical differences between benign and malignant disease(p>0.05). There were, however statistically significant differences between discontinuity of vessels (malignant, 46 %; benign, 15 %; p=0.030) the avascular zone(malignant, 63 %; benign, 20%;p=0.003) and separation of bronchovascular bun-dles (malignant, 60%; benign, 4 %; p=0.001). In the case of abnormal vessels (malignant, 32 %; benign 16 %; p=1.588) and displacement of pulmonary vessels (malignant, 37 %; benign, 16 %; p=2.737) there were no statistically significant differences.
CONCLUSION
The CT angiogram sign, as seen on spiral CT was nonspecific Where the sign is present, angiogram sign, discontinuity of vessels, the avascular zone and separation of bronchovascular bundles may be useful signs for the diagnosis of central lung cancer with obstructive pneumonitis.

Keyword

Thorax, CT; Pulmonary arteries; CT Pulmonary veins; Lung neoplasms, diagnosis; Lung, consdidation

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Humans
Lung Diseases
Lung Neoplasms
Lung*
Pneumonia
Pulmonary Artery
Retrospective Studies
Tomography, Spiral Computed
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