Computed tomography of the abnormal pulmonary hilum

Computed tomographic (CT) findings in 25 patients with an abnormal hilum were reviewed. Fourteen had bronchogenic carcinoma, four had lymphoma, four had metastatic carcinoma, one had severe pulmonary arterial hypertension, and two had a hilar mass of unknown cause. The CT findings were (a) a local alteration in normal hilar contour; (b) generalized hilar enlargement; (c) distortion or obstruction of bronchi; (d) irregular or poorly defined hilar contours; (e) obscured vascular branches; and (f) obscuration or thickening of the posterior right upper lobe bronchus, bronchus intermedius, or left main bronchus. A localized alteration in hilar contour and bronchial abnormalities were most frequently seen.