[Thin-section computed tomography of intrapulmonary metastases after surgical resection of lung cancer]

To evaluate the morphology of small peripheral intrapulmonary metastases of lung cancers, we studied thin-section computed tomography (CT) images of 12 lesions in 5 cases (1 squamous cell carcinoma, and 4 papillary adenocarcinomas). All lesions were resected, and histopathological diagnosis of them was performed in comparison with primary lesions to differentiate multiple primary lung cancers from intrapulmonary metastases. Thin-section CT images showed mildly lobulated nodules in connection with supplying pulmonary vessels, however, indented pleura and vascular convergence were less frequently seen in intrapulmonary metastases in contrast with primary lung cancers. Thin-section CT is helpful for distinguishing multiple primary lung cancers from intrapulmonary metastases in patients with a history of surgical resection for lung cancers.