BACKGROUNDTo investigate the CT changes of pericancerous tissues with high-resolution CT (HRCT) and to explore the specific signs of CT in non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSThirty-one patients with non-small cell lung cancer and 12 patients with benign pulmonary nodules were analysed. An attention was paid on bronchovascular bundles, vessels and interlobular septa. HRCT films were read independently by two radiologists and results were statistically Chi-square tested.

RESULTSIn the cancer group, 20 cases (64.5%) had thickening of bronchovascular bundles, 15 cases (48.4%) angiectasis of superior lobular arteries, 13 cases (41.9%) angiectasis of superior lobular veins, 16 cases (51.6%) thickening of interlobular septa, and 5 cases (16.1%) ground-glass opacity. In benign pulmonary lesion group, the values were 2 (16.7%) , 1 (8.3%), 2 (16.7%), 6 (50.0%) and 5 (41.7%) cases respectively. Significant differences were found between the two groups in the thickening of bronchovascular bundles and the angiectasis of superior lobular arteries.

CONCLUSIONSThickening of bronchovascular bundles and angiectasis of superior lobular arteries are the specific signs of non-small cell lung cancer.