Purpose: To study the factors that influence computed tomographic (CT) visibility of early squamous cell carcinoma, which was defined as a lesion confined to the bronchial wall without lymph node metastasis.
Materials and methods: CT was performed in 18 patients with 18 early squamous cell carcinoma lesions. The 5.0-mm or thinner sections were reviewed independently by three observers who were aware of the bronchoscopic findings, and the visibility of the lesions was correlated with histopathologic findings.
Results: Tumors consisted of 13 flat and five polypoid lesions. Three of the lesions were epithelial, eight were subepithelial, and seven were cartilaginous or extracartilaginous. Eleven lesions were visualized at CT as an endobronchial mass or focal bronchial wall thickening. Lesions with polypoid growth and/or cartilaginous or extracartilaginous invasion were all visualized, even on 5-mm-thick sections. Subepithelial lesions could be demonstrated when located at bronchi with craniocaudal orientation.
Conclusion: CT is a valuable tool for diagnosis of early squamous cell carcinomas, particularly when lesions show polypoid growth and/or invade the cartilaginous layer.