【Objective】 To discuss the possibility of the CT diagnosis by analyzing the CT features of cholesterol pneumonia.【Methods】 A total of 18 patients with cholesterol pneumonia confirmed by pathological examination after surgery or fibrobronchoscope biopsy were collected to undergo spiral CT scan. 13 men

5 women; age

11-71 years; mean age

52.9 years. 1 patient only with plain scan and the other 17 patients underwent additional contrast enhancement scan. CT signs of the disease and the number

size

shape

margin

density

and the enhanced degree were analyzed. 【Results】 CT showed 10 patients belong to nodule-tumor pattern

3 patients belongs to sheet pattern

5 patients belongs to mixed pattern. Lobulated

spicula or “halo” sign were more common in nodule-tumor pattern

and its center showed low-density

with the whole tumor or ring inhomogeneous enhancement. The different size of patches with clear or ground-glass edge were sheet pattern

including 1 case with multiple patchy and moderate homogeneous enhancement. The mixed pattern included cyst

nodule

cavitary lesion with adjacent consolidation or ground-glass opacity. The bronchi filled with gas or fluid were soft tissue mass or sheet lesion. Hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes swelling showed in 13 cases

which were confirmed with inflammatory response; A small amount of pleural effusion in 3 cases; and a little dot-like or irregular calcification were seen in 3 cases. 8 were combined with other diseases. In addition to the concurrent lipomas (1 patient) and teratoma (1 patient). CT showed no fat density in other cholesterol pneumonia; and pathological examination had no adipose tissue. Both 2 patients complicated with malignant tumors or abscesses. Each 1 patient complicated with bronchial cyst

old pulmonary tuberculosis and silicosis. 【Conclusions】 Inflammation can be diagnosed as follows: larger lesions

with air and fluid bronchogram

surrounded by a wide range of ground-glass opacity effusion

or multiple patchy lesions. For the nodule-tumor and mixed pattern

with low-density of regular circle-like or multi-room shape in the central area of the large lesions

and the surrounding “ring-target sign” enhancement

which are help for the diagnosis of cholesterol pneumonia.