Comparative analysis of CT features of lung cancer cavity with pathological findings

Objective: To study the CT features of primary lung cancer cavity and compare with the pathological findings in order to improve the diagnostic accuracy, Methods CT features of primary lung cancer cavities in 18 cases proven by operation or biopsy pathology were analyzed retrospectively. 16 men and 2 women, with the age ranged from 39-79 years and the mean age of 62 years, were performed with plain CT, while contrast CT scans were done in 14 cases. Results: Solitary pulmonary cavity was found in all 18 cases. The lesions were located in the upper lung lobe in 13 cases and lower lobe in 5 cases. The maximum cavity size was 53 mm in diameter and 61% (11/18) lesions were more than 4cm. Most of cavities (83%, 15/18) were slightly lobulated. The cavity showed irregular thick wall in 89% (16/18) cases and obvious wall nodules in 22% (4/18) cases. Not satellite focus was found around all cavities. Among 18 cases, 67% (12/18) were adenocarcinoma and 16% were squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions: There are some characteristic CT findings of lung cancer cavities. CT may be the best examination method for' lung cancer cavity. The adenocarcinoma has an escalation trend in the pathology of cavity lung cancer. (authors)