J Korean Radiol Soc.  1994 Feb;30(2):305-308.

CT Findings of Intrathoricic Neoplasm Associated with Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy

• Choe KO
• Chung JI
• Hwang HS
• Oh SC

Abstract

PURPOSE
Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy(HOA) is a clinical syndrome consisting of clubbing, periostitis and synovitis. Most frequent causes of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy are intrathoracic neoplasms, among which the bronchogenic carcinoma ranks the highest. But computed tomographic evaluation of intrathoracic neoplasm associated with HOA has been seldom reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate CT findings of intrathoracic neoplasm associated with HOA, and to infer possible mechanism.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seven cases of intrathoracic neoplasm associated with HOA were included in our study. Diagnoses of HOA were made by Tc99m bone scintigraphy or plain radiography. The findings of chest CT scans were reviewed retrospectively, with main interests on their size, location and internal characteristics, ect.
RESULTS
Seven cases of intrathoracic neoplasm consisted of five bronchogenic carcinomas and two thymic tumors. The size of intrathoracic tumors were relativelY, large ranging from 6cm to 13cm(average 8.0cm). All thoracic neoplasms showed wide pleural contact, and one of them invaded thoracic wall. The range of length of pleural contact was 5-18cm(average 9.9cm). All of seven patients had internal necrosis, and one of them showed cavitation in thoracic mass.
CONCLUSION
lntrathoracic neoplasms associated with HOA had a tendency to be large, to contain internal necrosis, and to widely abut the thoracic pleura.

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic
Diagnosis
Humans
Necrosis
Periostitis
Pleura
Radiography
Radionuclide Imaging
Retrospective Studies
Synovitis
Thoracic Neoplasms
Thoracic Wall
Thymus Neoplasms
Tomography, X-Ray Computed