Bronchial carcinoid tumors: radiologic observations in 49 cases

J Thorac Imaging. 1991 Apr;6(2):47-53.

Abstract

A retrospective evaluation was performed of radiographs obtained in 49 cases of bronchial carcinoid at presentation and during a follow-up period of 12 years. Histologic diagnosis from the surgical specimen was available in all cases. Carcinoids appeared most frequently (77%) as round or oval opacities with sharp and often notched margins. They often induced airway compression with pulmonary atelectasis; enlarged hilar lymph nodes from metastasis were rare. Recurrence after surgical removal was not frequent; the recurrent masses had the same radiographic features as the original tumor. The diagnosis of bronchial carcinoid must be taken into consideration when a slowly growing radiopaque mass with well-defined margins is discovered on chest films. The radiologist must remember that these tumors can be resected with a fairly good prognosis even when they are large.

MeSH terms

  • Bronchial Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Carcinoid Tumor / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / pathology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed