Manifestation of clinical, X-ray and CT in central lung carcinoid tumor

Objective To study the clinical, X-ray and CT features of central lung carcinoid tumor. Methods Twenty-one cases of central lung carcinoid tumor were confirmed by surgery and pathology. The findings on X-ray and CT in 21 cases were retrospectively analyzed. Results The clinical manifestations were cough in 20 cases, hemoptysis in 8 cases, chest distress in 11 cases, thoracodynia in 6 cases and fever in 12 cases. The chest plain film showed lesions of right lung in 14 cases, and lesions of left lung in 7 cases. 13 cases of obstructive pneumonia and 5 cases of atelectasis were found. CT showed 12 cases of bronchiostenosis with lesions in hilum of lung. The CT value of the lesions was enhanced up. Conclusion Central lung carcinoid tumor is lack of typical imaging manifestations. Imaging manifestation of X-ray and CT only has a clue to diagnosis. The definite diagnosis needs bronchoscopic biopsy and percutaneous pulmonal puncture biopsy.