Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung CT

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shanshan Cen, M.D. [2] Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [3]

Computed tomography is the method of choice for the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. On CT, findings of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung will depend on the location of the tumor, characteristic findings include: ground-glass opacity, rounded or spiculated mass, local nodal involvement, intraluminar obstruction, and lobar collapse.

• CT is the modality of choice for the evaluation of possible squamous cell carcinoma of the lung
• Certain morphological features can be suggestive of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, such as:^[1][2]

• Cavitation, usually secondary to tumoral necrosis
• Central scar
• Usually measure larger than 4 cm in diameter

• CT features involved in the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, include:

• Staging of the disease
• Dictation of the prognosis and treatment

• CT findings of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, include:

Central location

• Intraluminal obstruction
• Lung collapse and/or obstructive pneumonitis
• Ground-glass opacity
• Rounded or spiculated mass
• Local nodal involvement
• Intraluminar obstruction
• Segmental or lobar lung collapse

Peripheral location

• Solid nodule/mass with or without an irregular border
• Irregular margins
• Desmoplastic reaction or infiltrative growth
• Similar to central lung cancer, peripheral squamous cell carcinoma of the lung can also result in obstructive changes such as a mucocele.

• On CT, signs of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, may include:^[3][2]

• Finger in glove sign: the bronchus distal to the obstruction is dilated
• Crazy-paving sign: appearance of ground-glass opacity with superimposed interlobular septal thickening and intralobular reticular thickening

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