Differentiating lung abscess and empyema: radiography and computed tomography

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.141.1.163· OSTI ID:5588100

Stark, D D; Federle, M P; Goodman, P C; Podrasky, A E; Webb, W R

Conventional chest radiographs and computed tomographic (CT) scans of 70 inflammatory thoracic lesions in 63 patients were reviewed and scored for diagnostic features. Pathologic confirmation of the final diagnosis was available in 42% (5/12) of lung abscesses and 31% (18/58) of empyemas. CT alone was sufficient to correctly diagnose 100% (70/70) of cases. Diagnostic information not available from conventional chest radiographs was obtained in 47% (33/70) of cases; in an additional 34% of patients, CT more accurately defined the extent of disease. The most reliable CT features for the differential diagnosis of lung abscess and empyema were wall characteristics, pleural separation, and lung compression. Conventional radiographic features such as size, shape, and the angle of the lesion with the chest wall were less helpful, though also best assessed by CT.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California Medical Center, San Francisco General Hospital, CA
• OSTI ID: 5588100
• Journal Information: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States), Journal Name: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States) Vol. 141:1; ISSN AAJRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ABSCESSES
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
LUNGS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
RADIOLOGY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
TOMOGRAPHY