Comparative study of solitary thin-walled cavity lung cancer with computed tomography and pathological findings

Abstract

Background: Solitary thin-walled cavity lung cancer is a specific form of lung cancer, the diagnosis of which remains a formidable challenge.

Objective: By comparing the computed tomography (CT) presentations and pathological findings, the purpose of present study was to explain the possible mechanism of thin-walled cavity formation and to improve the diagnostic accuracy for this disease.

Methods: The medical records of eighteen patients with solitary thin-walled cavity lung cancer were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Chest CT demonstrated that solitary thin-walled cavities located at pulmonary periphery, and all these cavity lesions displayed suspected malignant signs. Pathological findings after surgery confirmed these lesions were adenocarcinoma, most of which were moderately or well differentiated. Microscopic findings showed tumor cells proliferated in the surface of thin-wall cavity in nine patients and infringed bronchiolar wall in five patients. No obvious necrotic tumor cell was observed in each patient.

Conclusion: It was suggested some thin-walled cavities may be formed as a result of unidirectional check-valve mechanism. Together, a high index of awareness of this suspected CT signs is required for early diagnosis of this disease.