CT scanning of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma: specific appearances

We reviewed CT scans in 38 cases with pathologically proved bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. CT revealed three CT patterns: solitary, pneumonic and diffuse forms. The solitary pattern (22 patients) had a high percentage of air bronchograms (95%), pleural indentation (77%) and spiculation (68%). The pneumonia-like pattern (16 lesions in 10 patients) had air bronchograms in all cases (100%), low attenuation (88%) and protrusion of interlobar fissures (63%). The diffuse form (six patients) had 2 or 3 mm diffuse small nodules scattered throughout the entire lung. CT of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma revealed many findings and was useful in recognizing the tumor distribution and extent. We conclude that CT is helpful for the diagnosis and evaluation of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.