Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung

Objective To study the CT diagnosis in large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung (LCNEC). Methods CT findings of 13 patients with LCNEC confirmed by surgery or bronchoscopy were retrospectively analyzed. All of them were examined by spiral CT, 3 cases by thin-sectional CT scan and 4 cases by enhanced CT scan. Results The lesions were presented as peripherial (7 cases),central (4 cases) and mediastinal (2 cases) pattern. The sizes of peripherial lesions were from 1.9 to 8.0 cm, of central lesions were from 2.2 to 3.5 cm. Peripherial lesions were oval or round well demarcation masses with lightly lobulated margin, meanwhile the lesions of central pattern presented as distal atelectasis and obstructive pneumonia. On enhanced CT, 4 lesions showed moderate enhancement. One case had mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Neither calcification nor cavity was observed in all the 13 patients. Conclusion CT findings of LCNEC of the lung are nonspecific. Pathological examination is necessary for the diagnosis of LCNEC.