Two cases of differatiation of intrapulmonary lymph nodes from intrapulmonary metastasis

Abstract

In each case of primary or metastatic lung cancer, chest CT reveals pulmonary nodules in addition to primary or metastatic lesions.
Case 1 demonstrated primary lung cancer at the left apex, and small nodule at right S9 is shown. Under CT guidance, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VTS) was performed. The samll nodule was a lymph node histologically.
Case 2 was post colectomy and hepatectomy. Chest CT revealed a small nodule at the bilateral lung. VATS was performed. The small nodule at right S9 was microscopically lymph node with anthoracosis.
It is difficult to differetiate these small nodules from lung metastasis. We considery VATS surgery a very useful procedure for diagnosing and treating subpleural intrapulmonary lymph nodes.