J Korean Radiol Soc.  1989 Jun;25(3):410-415. 10.3348/jkrs.1989.25.3.410.

Radiological analysis of solitary cavitary lesions of the lung: Differentiation between lung cancer and tuberculosis

• Lee KS
• Park KS
• Choi WS
• Yoon Y
• Lim JH

• KMID: 2359103
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1989.25.3.410

Abstract

In an attempt to differentiate pulmonary cavities of bronchogenic carcinoma from pulmonary tuberculosis, weanalysed chest roentgenograms in 18 cases of bronchogenic carcinoma and 32 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis interms of the maximal thickness of the wall, eccentricity or concentricity of the cavitation, air-fluid level,acompanying pulmonary infiltration, location and size of the nodules. Cancer civity showed maximal wall thickness more than 15mm in 83%(15/18), eccentric cavitation in 44%(8/18), irregular inner margin in 83%(15/18). Tuberculous cavity showed maximal wall thickness less than 15mm in 91% (29/32), concentric cavitation in all cases (32/32) andsmooth inner margin in 75%(24/32). Maximal wall thickness more than 15mm, eccentric cavitation and irregular innermargin are suggestive findings of cancer cavity. In contrast, maximal wall thickness less than 15mm, concentric cavitation and smooth inner margin are suggestive findings of tuberculous cavity. Air-fluid level, location and size af the nodule were of some help, but not reliable findings.

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic
Lung Neoplasms*
Lung*
Thorax
Tuberculosis*
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary