Cystic-Cavitary Lung Lesions


Definitions

General Definitions

  • Cavity (Pathologic Definition): gas-filled space within a zone of pulmonary consolidation or within a mass or nodule, produced by the expulsion of a necrotic part of the lesion via the bronchial tree
  • Cavity (Radiographic Definition): lucency within a zone of pulmonary consolidation, a mass, or a nodule
    • Hence, a Lucent Area within the Lung that May or May Not Contain a Fluid Level and that is Surrounded by a Wall, Usually of Variable Thickness

Definitions Based on Wall Thickness

  • Cyst: ≤4 mm wall thickness at thickest point
  • Cavity: >4 mm wall thickness at thickest point (or with surrounding mass or infiltrate)

Physiology

Mechanisms of Cavity Formation


Probability of Malignancy


Etiology of Cystic Lesion

Congenital Cystic Lung Lesions

Infection

Malignancy

Pneumatocele (see Pneumatocele)

General Comments

Infection-Associated Pneumatocele

Toxin-Associated Pneumatocele

Traumatic Pneumatocele

Other


Etiology of Cavitary Lesion (Cavitary Infiltrate/Nodule)

Infection

Malignancy

Primary Lung Neoplasm

Metastases to Lung

Pulmonary Vasculitis

Other


Etiology of Apical Fibrobullous Disease


References