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Localized mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of the lung: thin-section computed tomography and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography findings

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate thinsection computed tomography (CT) and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) findings of localized pulmonary mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinomas (BACs).

Methods and materials

From February 2000 to February 2009, there were seven patients with pulmonary localized mucinous BACs that were pathologically confirmed in the surgical specimens. Their CT findings were assessed regarding location, extent (percent) of groundglass opacity (GGO), margin characteristics, and the presence of air-containing spaces and contractive changes. We evaluated the presence of the “angiogram sign” in the patients who underwent enhanced CT. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on FDG-PET was measured in four cases.

Results

All tumors were located in the lower lobes. The percentages of GGOs ranged from 0% to 70% (average 20%). The tumor margins were well defined in five cases and ill-defined in two cases. Air-containing spaces were seen in all cases. Evidence of contractive change was seen in two of the seven cases. The angiogram sign was identified in one of five patients who underwent enhanced CT. The SUVmax on FDG-PET ranged from 0.93 to 1.97 (mean 1.53).

Conclusion

The imaging features of localized mucinous BACs include solid or partly solid attenuation, the presence of air-containing spaces, lack of contractive changes, and lower lobe predominance. Additionally, the SUVmax is markedly low on FDG-PET.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimogato, Chuo, 409-3898, Japan

    Eiichi Sawada, Atsushi Nambu, Utaroh Motosugi & Tsutomu Araki

  2. Department of Radiology, Suwa Central Hospital, Suwa, Japan

    Satoshi Kato

  3. Department of Radiology, Kofu Neuro Surgical Hospital, Kofu, Japan

    Yoko Sato

  4. Department of Radiology, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, Kofu, Japan

    Akitoshi Saito

  5. Second Department of Internal Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan

    Hiroshi Ishihara

  6. Second Department of Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan

    Hideto Okuwaki

  7. Department of Respiratory tract Internal Medicine, Kofu City Hospital, Kofu, Japan

    Katsura Ozawa & Keiichi Nishikawa

  8. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kofu City Hospital, Kofu, Japan

    Masahisa Miyazawa

  9. Department of Pathology, Kofu City Hospital, Kofu, Japan

    Kazuyuki Miyata

Authors
  1. Eiichi Sawada
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  2. Atsushi Nambu
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  3. Utaroh Motosugi
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  4. Tsutomu Araki
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  5. Satoshi Kato
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  6. Yoko Sato
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  7. Akitoshi Saito
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  8. Hiroshi Ishihara
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  9. Hideto Okuwaki
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  10. Katsura Ozawa
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  11. Keiichi Nishikawa
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  12. Masahisa Miyazawa
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  13. Kazuyuki Miyata
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eiichi Sawada.

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Sawada, E., Nambu, A., Motosugi, U. et al. Localized mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of the lung: thin-section computed tomography and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography findings. Jpn J Radiol 28, 251–258 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-009-0414-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-009-0414-4

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