High-Resolution CT in Patients With Intraluminal Typical Bronchial Carcinoid Tumors Treated With Bronchoscopic Therapy

To evaluate the extent to whichhigh-resolution CT (HRCT) can predict the clinical outcome ofbronchoscopic treatment with curative intent in patients withintraluminal typical bronchial carcinoid tumors. An observational study. Bronchoscopy unit and radiology department of a universityhospital. Eighteenpatients with intraluminal typical bronchial carcinoid tumors in theabsence of nodal and distant disease were treated with bronchoscopicelectrocautery or Nd-YAG laser as an alternative to surgical resection.Prior to treatment, HRCT was performed. In 10patients, HRCT showed no peribronchial tumor extension, and 9 of thesepatients were found to be tumor free after bronchoscopic treatment. Sofar during follow-up, none of these patients has had a recurrence ofthe tumor. The median duration of follow-up was 33 months (range, 13 to68 months). In five patients, HRCT showed signs of peribronchial tumorextension. In three of these patients, specimens taken from biopsiesperformed after bronchoscopic treatment showed residual tumors, andsalvage surgery was carried out. In three patients, HRCT was unable toassess peribronchial tumor extension: in two because of insufficientconnective tissue contrast between the hilar structures and in onepatient because of suboptimal scan technique. HRCT findings were complementary but notconclusive in patients with intraluminal typical bronchial carcinoidtumors treated with bronchoscopic therapy. However, in a category ofpatients in whom HRCT showed strictly intraluminal tumors, bronchoscopic resection as an alternative for surgical resection seemsjustified.