[Computerized tomography in the diagnosis of central lung cancer]

The third-generation computer CT/T-7800 manufactured by the General Electric Company (USA) was used to examine 600 patients with different chest diseases. Fifty-two patients were diagnosed as having central lung carcinoma. During comparison of the research data with those obtained by conventional x-ray methods, important information which made it possible to classify differently the stage of carcinoma was obtained in 40.4% of cases. The diagnosis of central lung carcinoma with the aid of computer-aided tomography was made for the first time in 11 cases. The method has advantages in detecting latent segmental atelectases and early signs of bronchostenosis. Computer-aided tomography makes it possible to restrict the use of invasive methods of examination in detecting mediastinal and distant metastases.