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CT of focal pulmonary masses in childhood
K Shady1, M J Siegel, H S Glazer
1Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110.
Insights
Focal pulmonary masses in children range from congenital issues to tumors. Computed tomography (CT) imaging is crucial for diagnosing these lung lesions and guiding patient management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Thoracic Imaging
- Pediatric Pulmonology
Background:
- Focal pulmonary masses in children present a diverse range of etiologies.
- These include congenital abnormalities, inflammatory processes, traumatic hematomas, and neoplastic lesions (both benign and malignant).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the spectrum of focal pulmonary masses in pediatric patients.
- To highlight the role of computed tomography (CT) in the detection and characterization of these lesions.
Main Methods:
- Review of imaging findings of various focal pulmonary masses in children.
- Emphasis on the diagnostic utility of computed tomography (CT).
Main Results:
- Congenital masses: bronchial atresia, sequestration, cystic adenomatoid malformation, vascular anomalies.
- Inflammatory masses: abscess, granulomas, postinflammatory pseudotumors.
- Neoplasms: benign (papilloma, hamartoma, carcinoid) and malignant (sarcoma, carcinoma, blastoma).
- Hematomas secondary to blunt trauma are also discussed.
Conclusions:
- Computed tomography (CT) is the most sensitive imaging modality for detecting and characterizing focal pulmonary lesions in children.
- Accurate interpretation of CT findings is essential for optimal diagnosis and patient management.
Abstract:
Focal pulmonary masses in children encompass a spectrum of conditions including congenital lesions, inflammatory masses, hematomas, and benign and malignant tumors. Congenital masses include bronchial atresia, sequestration, cystic adenomatoid malformation, and pulmonary vascular anomalies. Inflammatory masses most commonly result from infection and include pulmonary abscess, granulomas, and postinflammatory pseudotumors. Blunt trauma can cause a hematoma, which decreases in size on serial radiographs. Pulmonary neoplasms may be benign such as papilloma, hamartoma, and bronchial carcinoid tumor (low-grade malignancy), or they may be malignant as in sarcoma, carcinoma, and pulmonary blastoma. Because computed tomography (CT) is the most sensitive technique in detecting and helping characterize parenchymal disease, it has become the procedure of choice for further investigation of lesions seen or suggested on plain chest radiographs. Understanding the CT appearance of these lesions can allow an accurate diagnosis and optimize management of the patient's condition.