Radiographics 1999 May-Jun;19(3):707-36
Thoracic carcinoids: radiologic-pathologic correlation.
Rosado de Christenson ML, Abbott GF, Kirejczyk WM, Galvin JR, Travis WD
Carcinoids are neuroendocrine neoplasms. Bronchial carcinoids are unusual, malignant
primary neoplasms that characteristically involve the central airways and typically
exhibit well-defined margins and bronchial-related growth. Bronchial carcinoids include
low-grade typical carcinoids and the more aggressive atypical carcinoids. These tumors
usually affect patients in the 3rd through 7th decades of life who are often symptomatic
with cough, hemoptysis, or obstructive pneumonia. Bronchial carcinoids radiologically
manifest as hilar or perihilar masses, with or without associated atelectasis, pneumonia,
bronchiectasis, or mucoid impaction. At computed tomography, an anatomic relationship of
these tumors to a bronchus is usually seen, and they may show contrast material
enhancement or calcification. In rare cases, carcinoids occur in the thymus; when they do,
they are aggressive tumors that affect adults who usually present with chest pain, cough,
and dyspnea. Thymic carcinoids manifest radiologically as anterior mediastinal masses and
may mimic thymomas. Thoracic carcinoids are treated by surgical excision. The prognosis
for patients with typical bronchial carcinoids is excellent; patients with atypical
bronchial or thymic carcinoids have a worse prognosis.
PMID: 10336200, UI: 99267242
