[CT of pulmonary dirofilariasis--differential diagnosis from lung cancer]

We present here four cases of pulmonary dirofilariasis in which histological examination of the surgical specimen showed occlusion of the peripheral pulmonary artery by filariae and formation of a necrotic mass surrounded by reactive inflammation and hemorrhage. Radiological examination showed a solitary pulmonary nodule in three cases and a wedge-shaped consolidation in one case. Although pulmonary nodules in dirofilariasis closely mimic bronchogenic carcinoma on radiographs , it is possible to distinguish them from bronchogenic carcinoma on the basis of the following findings: (1) coexistence of subtle satellite lesions, (2) absence of pleural involvement, (3) fine marginal speculations, and (4) lack of concentric marginal speculations (eccentric speculation). In each case of dirofilariasis, CT showed the peripheral pulmonary artery entering the mass. This finding differentiates this disease from metastatic lung tumor, because in tumor metastasis via the pulmonary arteries, visible vessels are not usually involved.