The early diagnosis of lung carcinoma with normal plain CT scan
- VernacularTitle:平扫CT未见异常的肺癌的早期诊断
- Author:
Yong ZHANG
;
Meilin JIN
;
Chunxue BAI
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
chest CT;
pulmonary carcinoma;
central;
early diagnosis
- From:
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences
2009;36(4):457-460
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To explore the diagnosis for early stage lung cancer with "normal" plain CT scan in order to draw the concern of physician to these patients. Methods We reviewed and analyzed 3 cases of central bronchogenic carcinoma with normal plain CT scan at first visit who were confirmed through fiber bronchoscope examination and PET/CT scan later. Then we compared the values of some diagnostic methods for early-stage central bronchogenic carcinoma. Results Three patients were all males with long smoking history. They came to hospital for cough and bloody sputum. All their plain CT scan showed "no abnormal findings", but their symptom continued. Later, the fiber bronchoscope examination and PET/CT scan strongly suggested that they were suffered from central bronchogenic carcinoma, and then the pathological findings and sputum cytology confirmed the diagnosis. Two patients received lobectomy, and the other one was suggested to accept radiotherapy because of his poor lung function. Conclusions The positive rate of plain CT scan for early-stage central bronchogenic carcinoma is relatively low. Thus, some of these patients lost the chance of surgery and combined therapy. So physicians should pay more attention to these patients with symptoms of persistent bloody sputum or obstructive pneumonia, even if the plain CT scan is negative at first visit. Using PET/CT and fiber bronchoscope examination, physicians can confirm the diagnosis of central bronchogenic carcinoma. So these two methods are important in the diagnosis for early-stage central bronchogenic carcinoma without any abnormal plain CT scan findings.
