Learning objectives
Characteristics of different pulmonary fat containing lesions identified on CT images in adult thoracic imaging.
To demonstrate the pathognomic features of benign fat containinglesions in order to differentiate them from the malignant lesions on CT thorax.
Background
Palin radiographsthe first linescreening tool for thoracic pathology.
The sensitivity of radiographs to identify fat content in the small pulmonary lesions however is limited.
CT and MRI imaging having better special resolution remains the gold standard for classification of theabnormality identified on plain films.Multiplanar CT is the most frequentlyutilized modality.Typical fat attenuation is measured in the range of −40 to −120 HU on CT images.1
Variety of fat containing pathologies are seen in adult thoracic imaging.These lesions are classified based on the location and imaging...
Findings and procedure details
1.
Pulmonary hamartoma
Hamartomas are congenital indigenous benign tumors that can be found in various part of body.
Hamartomas constitute 75% of benign pulmonary lesions.
80 percent of these hamartomas are intraparenchymal while 20 % are endobronchial.2Intrapulmonary hamartomas also appear as small well delineated round to ovoid solitary nodules on the radiographs.
These are mostly picked as an incidental finding.
CT can help in differentiating hamartoma from simple lipomas and sinister pathology.
These appear as small foci of heterogenous density containing intralesional fat,
soft tissue...
Conclusion
Fat containing pulmonary lesions can be accurately detected and categorized with the help of CT imaging.
Correct identification of benign pathology on CT can help avoid unnecessary follow up or intervention.
Personal information
Dr.
Muhammad Umer Nasir MBBS,
FCPS
International Training Fellow Radiology
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust Heartlands Hospital,
Bordesley Green East,
Birmingham
Email:
[email protected]
+447542396497
Dr.
Muhammad Imran Khan MBBS,
FCPS
International Training Fellow Radiology
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust Heartlands Hospital,
Bordesley Green East,
Birmingham B9 5SS
Email:
[email protected]
00447365467620
Dr Madava Djearaman FRCSI FRCR
Clinical Service Lead Imaging - HGS
Clinical Lead for Thermal Ablation
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust Heartlands Hospital,
Bordesley Green East,
Birmingham.
Email:
[email protected]
Dr Shahid Hussain MA...
References
1.
AJR2011; 197:W795–W813.
2.
Hansen CP,
Holtveg H,
Francis D,
Rasch L,
Ber- telsen S.
Pulmonary hamartoma.
J Thorac Cardio- vasc Surg 1992; 104:674 – 678.
3.
Ahn JM,
Im JG,
Seo JW,
et al.
Endobronchial hamartoma: CT findings in three patients.
AJR Am J Roentgenol 1994; 163:49 –50.
4.Politis J,
Funahashi A,
Gehlsen JA,
DeCock D,
Stengel BF,
Choi H.
Intrathoracic lipomas: report of three cases and review of the literature with em- phasis on endobronchial lipoma.
J Thorac Cardio- vasc Surg 1979; 77:550...