Extension of thoracic roentgen diagnosis by computer tomography

In 400 examiniations of the thorax results of computer tomography were compared with respective pa chest films and conbentional tomograms. In the peripheral areas of the lung, intersitial parenchymal alterations and metastases were better visualized by CT. The size of central bronchial carcinomas and space-occupying lesions of the thoracic wall can be determined with greater accuracy by CT. Primary tumors, lymphnode enlargement and vascular alterations can be differentiated and localized more precicesly by CT. The size of the heart chambers, intracavitary tumors as well as septal and myocardial wall thickness can be determined non invasively. (orig.)