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Noncalcified pulmonary tuberculomas: CT enhancement patterns with histological correlation
S Murayama1, J Murakami, S Hashimoto
1Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Journal of Thoracic Imaging
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Enhanced CT scans can reveal characteristic patterns in noncalcified tuberculomas. Ring or central-curvilinear enhancement often indicates caseous necrosis and vascularity, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Tuberculomas are granulomatous lesions caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Accurate diagnosis of noncalcified tuberculomas can be challenging.
- Computed tomography (CT) is a key imaging modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate enhanced CT findings of noncalcified tuberculomas with histological results.
- To identify characteristic CT enhancement patterns for improved diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of enhanced CT images from 12 surgically resected noncalcified tuberculomas.
- Correlation of imaging findings with detailed histological studies.
- Von Willebrand factor staining to assess vascularity.
Main Results:
- Seven of 12 (75%) noncalcified tuberculomas exhibited ring or central-curvilinear enhancement.
- Histology confirmed caseous/liquefied necrotic material in the low-density regions of enhancing lesions.
- Enhanced areas showed moderate to marked vascularity.
- Three tuberculomas displayed nonspecific enhancement patterns with poor vascularity.
Conclusions:
- Ring or central-curvilinear enhancement on enhanced CT is a characteristic pattern for noncalcified tuberculomas.
- This pattern correlates with caseous necrosis and significant vascularity.
- CT enhancement patterns can aid in differentiating tuberculomas from other lesions.