Table 3 Radiologic characteristics of pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (6)

Chest radiography

- Coarse bronchovascular markings with irregular outline

- Coarse reticulonodular pattern with intraparenchymal extension of tumour

- Unilateral or bilateral changes predominantly in the lower lobes of the lungs

- Kerley A and B lines

- Hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy (20-40% of cases); usually asymmetric

- Pleural effusion (30-50% of cases)

- No abnormalities (30-50% of cases)

Chest CT scan

- Smooth (early stage) and nodular (late stage) thickening of interlobular septa and peribronchovascular interstitium

- Polygonal arcades with thickened limbs from thickened septa of adjacent lobules

- Normal lung architecture is maintained

- Ground-glass appearance from interstitial edema or extension of the tumour into the parenchyma