Obscure pulmonary masses: bronchial impaction revealed by CT. 1983

R D Pugatch, and M E Gale

Dilated bronchi impacted with mucus or tumor are recognized on standard chest radiographs because they are surrounded by aerated pulmonary parenchyma. When imaged in different projections, these lesions produce a variety of appearances that are generally familiar. This report characterizes less familiar computed tomographic (CT) findings in eight patients with pathologic bronchial distension of congenital, neoplastic, or infectious etiologies and correlates them with chest films. In seven patients, CT readily revealed dilated bronchi and/or regional lung hypodensity. In four of these cases, CT led to the initial suspicion of dilated bronchi. CT should be used early in the evaluation of atypical pulmonary mass lesions or to confirm suspected bronchial impaction because of the high probability it will reveal diagnostic features.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009078 Mucocele A retention cyst of the salivary gland, lacrimal sac, paranasal sinuses, appendix, or gallbladder. (Stedman, 26th ed) Mucoceles
D001980 Bronchi The larger air passages of the lungs arising from the terminal bifurcation of the TRACHEA. They include the largest two primary bronchi which branch out into secondary bronchi, and tertiary bronchi which extend into BRONCHIOLES and PULMONARY ALVEOLI. Primary Bronchi,Primary Bronchus,Secondary Bronchi,Secondary Bronchus,Tertiary Bronchi,Tertiary Bronchus,Bronchi, Primary,Bronchi, Secondary,Bronchi, Tertiary,Bronchus,Bronchus, Primary,Bronchus, Secondary,Bronchus, Tertiary
D001984 Bronchial Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the BRONCHI. Neoplasms, Bronchial,Bronchial Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Bronchial
D001987 Bronchiectasis Persistent abnormal dilatation of the bronchi. Cylindrical Bronchiectasis,Cystic Bronchiectasis,Saccular Bronchiectasis,Varicose Bronchiectasis,Bronchiectases,Bronchiectasis, Cylindrical,Bronchiectasis, Cystic,Bronchiectasis, Saccular,Bronchiectasis, Varicose,Cylindrical Bronchiectases,Cystic Bronchiectases,Saccular Bronchiectases,Varicose Bronchiectases
D001995 Bronchography Radiography of the bronchial tree after injection of a contrast medium. Bronchographies
D002276 Carcinoid Tumor A usually small, slow-growing neoplasm composed of islands of rounded, oxyphilic, or spindle-shaped cells of medium size, with moderately small vesicular nuclei, and covered by intact mucosa with a yellow cut surface. The tumor can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract (and in the lungs and other sites); approximately 90% arise in the appendix. It is now established that these tumors are of neuroendocrine origin and derive from a primitive stem cell. (From Stedman, 25th ed & Holland et al., Cancer Medicine, 3d ed, p1182) Argentaffinoma,Carcinoid,Carcinoid, Goblet Cell,Argentaffinomas,Carcinoid Tumors,Carcinoids,Carcinoids, Goblet Cell,Goblet Cell Carcinoid,Goblet Cell Carcinoids,Tumor, Carcinoid,Tumors, Carcinoid
D002294 Carcinoma, Squamous Cell A carcinoma derived from stratified SQUAMOUS EPITHELIAL CELLS. It may also occur in sites where glandular or columnar epithelium is normally present. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Carcinoma, Epidermoid,Carcinoma, Planocellular,Carcinoma, Squamous,Squamous Cell Carcinoma,Carcinomas, Epidermoid,Carcinomas, Planocellular,Carcinomas, Squamous,Carcinomas, Squamous Cell,Epidermoid Carcinoma,Epidermoid Carcinomas,Planocellular Carcinoma,Planocellular Carcinomas,Squamous Carcinoma,Squamous Carcinomas,Squamous Cell Carcinomas
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis

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