Abstract
With the spread of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) screening for lung cancer,
we are increasingly faced with the need to determine whether certain small lesions
are benign or malignant. The features of small adenocarcinomas have been clarified
but not those of squamous cell carcinoma.
The objective of our study was therefore to clarify the HRCT findings of peripherally
located squamous cell carcinomas less than 2 cm in maximum dimension. Subjects consisted
of 27 consecutive pathologically proven cases of peripherally located squamous cell
carcinoma that were less than 2 cm in maximum dimension. HRCT findings of all 27 cases
were analyzed retrospectively and independently by three radiologists who were unaware
of the pathological diagnosis, and decisions were reached by consensus with special
attention to 10 review points. Internal characteristic features included calcification,
cavity formation, and air bronchogram. Tumor margin features included spiculation,
notching, irregularity, and ground-glass opacity. Surrounding structural features
consisted of pleural indentation, pulmonary emphysema, and satellite lesions. The
presence of irregularity (70.4%), surrounding pulmonary emphysema (70.4%), and pleural
indentation (51.9%) was observed frequently. No mass was accompanied by calcification.
HRCT images of peripherally located squamous cell carcinoma suggested that the demonstration
of irregularity, surrounding pulmonary emphysema, pleural indentation, and absence
of calcification may contribute to the accurate CT diagnosis of small peripheral squamous
cell carcinoma.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 17, 2007
Accepted:
October 5,
2007
Received:
August 1,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
