[Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT patterns and pathologies of noncalcified pulmonary tuberculomas].

Objective: To analyze characteristic CT enhancement patterns of noncalcified pulmonary tuberculomas and their pathological basis.

Method: Fifty-six patients with noncalcified pulmonary tuberculomas underwent surgical resection of the tuberculomas. Enhanced CT images of these tuberculomas were reviewed and analyzed in relation to the histological findings.

Results: Of the 56 patients, 45 showed no enhancement in the tuberculomas, which were histologically characterized by central caseous necrosis and a poorly vascularized peripheral fibrotic zone. Eleven patients showed ring-like or eggshell enhancement, and the central low density region was histologically confirmed to be caused by caseous or liquefied necrosis, while the ring enhancement resulted pathologically from moderately or well vascularized peripheral fibrotic or granulomatous tissues.

Conclusions: Pulmonary tuberculomas consists mainly of caseous necrotic tissues characterized by no enhancement and ring or eggshell enhancement on dynamic contrast-enhanced CT.