Correct!
2. The thoracic CT shows a lingular nodule associated with adjacent tubular structures representing an enlarged artery and vein
The unenhanced thoracic CT shows that the lingular lesion is circumscribed, not poorly defined; the morphology, while not absolutely exclusive of malignancy, is not overtly suggestive of that diagnosis. However, tubular structures are closely associated with the lingular lesion. Typically such tubular structures represent either dilated, impacted bronchi or enlarged vasculature. When dilated bronchi are responsible for such tubular opacities, often other dilated, non-impacted bronchi are evident elsewhere, and air trapping, manifest as inhomogeneous lung opacity on inspiratory CT scanning, is also evident- however, neither finding is present in this case. Therefore, the tubular opacities in this patient are due to enlarged adjacent vasculature. There is no evidence of either fat or calcium on the soft tissue windows (Figure 2K and J of this study).
Which of the following statements regarding the findings of this CT examination is correct? (Click on the correct answer to move to the next panel)