[Pleural infiltration by peripheral bronchial carcinoma. Is computed tomography reliable?].

Pre-operative computed tomograms were obtained in 52 patients with histologically confirmed peripheral bronchial carcinomas and possible involvement of the pleura and thoracic wall was analysed. The results were compared with the operative and histological findings. Thickening of the pleura and of the sub-pleural fat line was observed in 24 cases. Amongst these patients there was only one case with histologically confirmed pleural infiltration. In 17 patients the sub-pleural fat line was obliterated, or could not be defined. Amongst these, 11 showed tumour extension to the pleura or soft tissues of the chest wall. It is concluded that the most suspicions sign of pleural tumour extension is absence of the sub-pleural fat line. The more frequently observed pleural thickening cannot be considered as a reliable sign for pleural involvement.