HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME Test (opens in a new window) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jeung, M.-Y. Articles by Roy, C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Jeung, M.-Y. Articles by Roy, C. Related Collections Chest Radiology

Bronchial Carcinoid Tumors of the Thorax: Spectrum of Radiologic Findings¹

¹ From the Departments of Radiology B (M.Y.J., A.G., D.C., C.R.), Pathology (B.G.), Thoracic Surgery (X.D.), and Pulmonology (R.K., E.Q.), University Hospital of Strasbourg, 1 place de l’Hôpital, 67091 Strasbourg, France. Recipient of a Certificate of Merit award for an education exhibit at the 2000 RSNA scientific assembly. Received June 6, 2001; revision requested July 5 and received August 31; accepted August 31. Address correspondence to M.Y.J. (e-mail: mi-young.jeung@chru-strasbourg.fr).

Bronchial carcinoid tumors are neuroendocrine neoplasms that range from low-grade typical carcinoids to more aggressive atypical carcinoids and therefore demonstrate a wide spectrum of clinical behaviors and histologic features. Typical and atypical bronchial carcinoids have similar imaging features. Because most bronchial carcinoids are located in central airways, radiologic findings are usually related to bronchial obstruction. Central bronchial carcinoids manifest as an endobronchial nodule or hilar or perihilar mass with a close anatomic relationship to the bronchus. The mass is usually a well-defined, round or ovoid lesion and may be slightly lobulated at radiography and computed tomography (CT). Associated atelectasis, air trapping, obstructing pneumonitis, and mucoid impaction may also be seen. Peripheral bronchial carcinoids appear as solitary nodules. Calcification is common and is easily visualized at CT. Bronchial carcinoids demonstrate high signal intensity on T2-weighted and short-inversion-time inversion recovery magnetic resonance images. Prognosis of bronchial carcinoids is highly dependent on histologic findings: Atypical carcinoids have certain features that suggest a more aggressive nature. Typical bronchial carcinoids generally have an excellent prognosis, whereas atypical bronchial carcinoids have a worse prognosis. Therefore, understanding the histologic, clinical, and radiologic features of bronchial carcinoids facilitates accurate diagnosis and helps optimize surgical planning.

© RSNA, 2002

Index Terms: Bronchi, CT, 671.1211 • Bronchi, neoplasms, 671.3111 • Bronchi, stenosis or obstruction, 671.3111 • Bronchography, 671.122 • Carcinoid, 671.3111

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Martinez, L. E. Heyneman, H. P. McAdams, S. E. Rossi, C. S. Restrepo, and A. Eraso Mucoid Impactions: Finger-in-Glove Sign and Other CT and Radiographic Features RadioGraphics, September 1, 2008; 28(5): 1369 - 1382. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Bini, J. Brandolini, N. Cassanelli, F. Davoli, G. Dolci, F. Sellitri, and F. Stella Typical and atypical pulmonary carcinoids: our institutional experience Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, June 1, 2008; 7(3): 415 - 418. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. F. Scarsbrook, A. Ganeshan, J. Statham, R. V. Thakker, A. Weaver, D. Talbot, P. Boardman, K. M. Bradley, F. V. Gleeson, and R. R. Phillips Anatomic and Functional Imaging of Metastatic Carcinoid Tumors RadioGraphics, March 1, 2007; 27(2): 455 - 477. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Katabami, K. Okamoto, K. Ito, K. Kimura, and H. Kaji Bronchogenic glomangiomyoma with local intravenous infiltration. Eur. Respir. J., November 1, 2006; 28(5): 1060 - 1064. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. F. Scarsbrook, R. V. Thakker, J. A. H. Wass, F. V. Gleeson, and R. R. Phillips Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia: Spectrum of Radiologic Appearances and Discussion of a Multitechnique Imaging Approach. RadioGraphics, March 1, 2006; 26(2): 433 - 451. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Chong, K. S. Lee, M. J. Chung, J. Han, O J. Kwon, and T. S. Kim Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung: Clinical, Pathologic, and Imaging Findings RadioGraphics, January 1, 2006; 26(1): 41 - 57. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D R Baldwin, J D Birchall, R H Ganatra, and K S Pointon Evaluation of the solitary pulmonary nodule: clinical management, role of CT and nuclear medicine Imaging, October 1, 2004; 16(1): 22 - 36. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]