What can a chest CT scan reveal?

With the continuous development of modern medicine, there are many more convenient instruments for physical examinations, and chest CT is a relatively common examination method. Chest CT uses X-rays to check whether there is any disease inside the human chest cavity. Chest CT can check whether there is a tumor in the chest cavity, or lung disease, as well as lumps, etc. It can also check for heart disease.

What can a chest CT scan reveal?

Helps to make a qualitative diagnosis of problems found on chest X-rays: Masses: (1) Differentiate whether the mass is cystic, solid, fatty, or calcified; (2) Determine the location and extent of the mass and its anatomical connection with the mediastinum.

According to clinical needs, hidden pathogens that are not found in chest X-rays can be detected: (1) to determine whether there are micrometastases, which can show the presence of tumors and their location, size, and number, so as to formulate treatment plans. (2) CT-guided percutaneous biopsy enables histological diagnosis of certain tumors. (3) If chest X-ray and fiberoptic bronchoscopy are negative but sputum tumor cells are positive, CT should be performed to identify the source of the tumor in the lungs.

CT is inferior to X-ray in assessing the degree and morphology of bronchial infiltration and stenosis, and is even inferior to bronchography.

The discovery, location and quantitative diagnosis of the source of the disease are relatively reliable; however, the qualitative diagnosis of solid masses is not accurate enough, and the sources of disease with a diameter of less than 1.5 cm cannot be displayed.

Next, let’s take a look at the significance of chest CT examination.

The significance of chest CT examination

Chest wall: Asbestosis with pleural thickening that cannot be shown on chest X-rays can be found; when there is pleural effusion, if small pleural nodules or masses are found, it is helpful for the diagnosis of metastases and mesothelioma; based on the CT value of pleural masses, encapsulated effusion, localized mesothelioma and extrapleural lipoma can be distinguished; chest wall hemangioma can be diagnosed with the help of CT enhancement; rib fractures and rib destruction can be well displayed.

Lungs: It is valuable for the early diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer. It is helpful for the diagnosis of central lung cancer when the main bronchi, lobar bronchi and segmental bronchi are narrowed or truncated. High-resolution CT (HRCT) may show diffuse interstitial lesions that cannot be shown on chest X-rays, which is helpful for early diagnosis and differential diagnosis. It can also detect bullae, bronchiectasis, and smaller tuberculosis cavities that cannot be shown on chest X-rays.

Mediastinum: It can detect enlarged lymph nodes that cannot be found on chest X-rays. It helps in the qualitative diagnosis of mediastinal masses based on the CT value and location of the mass. It can also be used to differentiate between fatty, cystic, and solid masses. Enhanced scanning can diagnose pulmonary artery aneurysms and aortic aneurysms.

CT angiography can be used for pulmonary artery angiography examination. It can better display the pulmonary artery vascular branches above the subsegmental level and can be used for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

CT simulation endoscopy can display segmental and subsegmental bronchi non-invasively, and can observe lesions from the distal end of bronchial cavity obstruction and stenosis; at the same time, it can display multi-directional extraluminal anatomical structures, and can accurately locate and determine the scope of extramural tumors.