Inferior pulmonary ligament: computed tomographic appearance

A total of 129 normal computed tomograms of the chest was retrospectively reviewed to determine the appearance and frequency of visualization of the inferior pulmonary ligament. The ligament was seen on the left in 67.4% of patients, on the right in 37.2% of patients, on both sides in 27.1% of patients, and on neither side in 22.4% of patients. Of those ligaments seen, 92% on the left and 92% on the right demonstrated a posterior orientation. Examples are shown emphasizing the importance of the inferior pulmonary ligament in relation to lower lobe collapse, pleural effusion, extension of a mediastinal abnormality into the ligament, and the possible intraparenchymal appearance of an abnormality located within the ligament.