OBJECTIVE: To disclose imaging features of air-containing spaces other than air bronchograms in lung adenocarcinoma on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed HRCT scans of 42 consecutive patients with surgically proved lung adenocarcinoma correlating with pathologic specimens. RESULTS: Air-containing spaces were seen in 17 (40%) of cases on HRCT. The air-containing spaces appeared as multiple air densities (16 cases [94%]) with variable shapes and had a relatively larger size than that of air bronchograms. Internal septi were often noted (11 cases [65%]). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that multiplicity, larger diameter, and internal septi are the features of air-containing spaces. These findings could be a key to the definitive diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, distinguishing it from the mimics such as organizing pneumonia, tuberculoma, or malignant lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE: To disclose imaging features of air-containing spaces other than air bronchograms in lung adenocarcinoma on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed HRCT scans of 42 consecutive patients with surgically proved lung adenocarcinoma correlating with pathologic specimens. RESULTS: Air-containing spaces were seen in 17 (40%) of cases on HRCT. The air-containing spaces appeared as multiple air densities (16 cases [94%]) with variable shapes and had a relatively larger size than that of air bronchograms. Internal septi were often noted (11 cases [65%]). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that multiplicity, larger diameter, and internal septi are the features of air-containing spaces. These findings could be a key to the definitive diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, distinguishing it from the mimics such as organizing pneumonia, tuberculoma, or malignant lymphoma.