J Korean Radiol Soc.  1993 Jun;29(3):437-443.

Benign solitary pulmonary nodule: Value of high-resolution CT

• Lee DH
• Song KS
• Lim TH

Abstract

The majority of the radiologically detected solitary pulmonary nodules are benign, although relatively infrequent malignant nodules always make problems. Regarding the high prevalence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in this country, it could be assumed that a large number of the benign pulmonary nodules are tuberculomas. There have been various attempts with CT in the evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules. Most of them were focused on the nodule itself, however. We evaluated not only the character of the nodules bus also the parenchymal changes around the nodules to find evidences of associated pulmonary tuberculosis by using highresolution CT. We analyzed 35 benign solitary pulmonary nodules which are less than 4cm in size. Three or 5 high-resolution CT images were obtained in additon to the conventional CT images. Most of the nodules were located at the periphery of lung. Most of the nodules were proved to betuberculomas or presumed to be tuberculomas (n=32). The mean diameter of the nodules was 22mm. Most of the nodules were well-marginated. We observed a lobulated margin in 16 tuberculomas and a finely spiculated margin in 6 tuberculomas. Typical patterns of benign calcification were observed in 12 tuberculomas and one margin in 6 tuberculomas. Typical patterns of benign calcification were observed in 12 tuberculomas and one hamartoma. the findings of parenchymal tuberculosis such as interlobular septal thickening, small centrilobular micronodules, and lobular overinflation were identified in 12, 6 and 12 cases of tuberculomas respectively. The changes of juxtanodular lung parenchyma as well as the character of nodule itself were well demonstrated on high-resolution CT. which is valuabel I the evaluation of the equivocal solitary pulomnary nodules. Evidences of pulmonary tuberculosis around the nodule would be the secondary sign of benignancy.

MeSH Terms

Hamartoma
Lung
Prevalence
Solitary Pulmonary Nodule*
Tuberculoma
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary