High-resolution computed tomography of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma

Bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma may cause three main patterns on CT: solitary nodule, parenchymal consolidation, and multicentric disease. The nodules usually have spiculated margins and frequently contain bubble-like lucencies or pseudocavitation. When presenting as consolidation, this is due mainly to mucin secretion and results in areas of lower attenuation than soft tissue. Multicentric disease is characterized by the presence of multiple nodules which may mimic metastatic disease. Although bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma may cause different patterns on high-resolution CT, certain CT findings are sufficiently characteristic to suggest the underlying diagnosis. (authors). 12 refs., 7 figs