Thin-rim enhancement in Gd-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance images of tuberculoma: a new finding of potential differential diagnostic importance.

Abstract

The article describes rim enhancement seen on Gd-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images of two patients with tuberculoma. Pathologic examination of the surgical specimens disclosed that the peripheral portion of the tuberculoma, which showed contrast enhancement, was composed mainly of a fibrous capsule and epithelioid granulomas and that the central zone, which showed no contrast enhancement, was composed of caseous necrotic material. In a retrospective study of MR images from 20 consecutive cases of surgically proven bronchogenic carcinoma, none showed a thin enhancing rim on postcontrast MR images. Although confirmation of these findings must await further experience, the postcontrast MR findings described here may prove to be of value in distinguishing tuberculoma and possibly other granulomatous lesions from bronchogenic carcinoma.

• Authors: F Sakai, S Sone, A Maruyama, T Kawai, S Imai, J Aoki, M Morimoto, M Haniuda, H Ueda, T Honda
• Journal: Journal of thoracic imaging (J Thorac Imaging) Vol. 7 Issue 3 Pg. 64-9 (Jun 1992) ISSN: 0883-5993 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1501268 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Contrast Media
• Organometallic Compounds
• Pentetic Acid
• Gadolinium DTPA

Topics

• Adult
• Carcinoma, Bronchogenic (diagnosis)
• Contrast Media
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Gadolinium DTPA
• Humans
• Image Enhancement (methods)
• Lung Neoplasms (diagnosis)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods)
• Male
• Organometallic Compounds
• Pentetic Acid
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Solitary Pulmonary Nodule (diagnosis)
• Tuberculoma (diagnosis)
• Tuberculosis, Pulmonary (diagnosis)