Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma: A Variety of Radiographic Patterns

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma may present with a variety of radiographic and clinical appearances. The authors reviewed the radiographs of 17 patients with pathologically proven bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, retrospectively. Seven cases were of the localized form. Among the seven five showed a localized mass and two showed localized consolidation. Ten cases were of the diffuse form. Among the ten, three showed diffuse nodules, two showed diffuse consolidation, and five showed a combined pattern of nodules and consolidations. Progression of disease was observed in 9 patients. In these cases, localized forms progressed to a diffuse forms and nodular patterns progressed to a consolidation pattern. Seven cases of the diffuse form were given antituberculous medications on hospital admission. In summary, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma has varied radiographic patterns, and often mimicks other pulmonary diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis.