IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Cavitating lung cancer

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Loss of weight. Cough.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

There is a large cavitating mass in the left upper lobe adjacent to the oblique fissure.  The prominent air-fluid level is best seen on the lateral radiograph.

Annotated image

Annotated image

Irregular opacity (yellow dotted line) has a central air density lucency (red dotted line) with a horizontal inferior margin (blue arrows) consistent with an air-fluid level, indicative of cavitation. 

Case Discussion

This patient has a solitary cavitating mass with an air-fluid level.  It is peripheral and therefore likely to be out of the reach of the bronchoscopist.

The patient went on to have CT and biopsy that confirmed the presence of a squamous cell lung cancer. 

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.