Computed tomography in the evaluation of chest lesions in the pediatric patient

The role of computed tomography (CT) in the management of chest masses in the pediatric patient is emphasized and illustrated. Thirty-seven patients with various chest lesions who had both CT and conventional radiologic evaluations are reviewed. CT was the most consistently accurate examination, especially in the evaluation of disease extent and relationship with other organs. CT was the only modality to provide clinically useful information in 27% of the cases, and it provided significant additional information in another 24% of the group.