Pulmonary cyst
Updates to Article Attributes
Body
was changed:
Pulmonary cysts are cysticround, thin walled, low attenuation spaces within/lucencies in the lung parenchyma that have a wall that measures between 1 and 4 mm. Lung cysts usually contain gas, notair but occasionally also contain fluid.
The thickness of the wall is what distinguishes a cyst from a pulmonary cavity (that is defined as having a wall that is thicker than 4 mm). A bleb or bulla has a wall that is less than 1 mm
Pathology
In contradistinction to all other organs, the term cyst as used in the lung, is a misnomer, as it usually refers to a contained focus of gas, not fluid.
Pulmonary cysts can be congenital or acquired. Multiple lung cysts in a child may be associated with an underlying process although this is rare, e.g. pleuropulmonary blastomas 1.
Differential diagnosis
There are several specific types of thin walled cystic spaces in the lungs 6-7:
- bleb: pleural/subpleural, ≤1-2 cm diameter
- bulla: pleural/subpleural, ≥1-2 cm diameter
- honeycombing: subpleural stacks of cysts, typically 3-10 mm diameter with walls 1-3 mm in thickness
- pneumatocele: usually transient cystic airspace within the lung, usually due to pneumonia or trauma
There are several mimics of pulmonary cysts:
-
pulmonary cavity:
wallsurrounded by mass, nodule, or consolidation, creating wall thickness >2-4 mm 4-5-6 -
emphysema:
wall thickness <1 mm at the lung surfacelucencies without wall and with central vessel -
cystic bronchiectasis:
wall thickness <1 mmcontiguous with other airways
See also
-<p><strong>Pulmonary cysts </strong>are cystic spaces within the lung parenchyma that have a wall that measures between 1 and 4 mm. Lung cysts contain gas, not fluid.</p><p>The thickness of the wall is what distinguishes a cyst from a <a href="/articles/pulmonary-cavity">pulmonary cavity </a>(that is defined as having a wall that is thicker than 4 mm). A <a href="/articles/pulmonary-bleb">bleb</a> or <a href="/articles/pulmonary-bullae">bulla</a> has a wall that is less than 1 mm.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>In contradistinction to all other organs, the term cyst as used in the lung, is a misnomer, as it refers to a contained focus of gas, not fluid.</p><p>Pulmonary cysts can be congenital or acquired. Multiple lung cysts in a child may be associated with an underlying process although this is rare, e.g. <a href="/articles/pleuropulmonary-blastomas">pleuropulmonary blastomas</a> <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul>- +<p><strong>Pulmonary cysts </strong>are round, thin walled, low attenuation spaces/lucencies in the lung. Lung cysts usually contain air but occasionally also contain fluid or solid material <sup>5</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>In contradistinction to all other organs, the term cyst as used in the lung is a misnomer, as it usually refers to a contained focus of gas, not fluid.</p><p>Pulmonary cysts can be congenital or acquired. Multiple lung cysts in a child may be associated with an underlying process although this is rare, e.g. <a href="/articles/pleuropulmonary-blastomas">pleuropulmonary blastomas</a> <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>There are several specific types of thin walled cystic spaces in the lungs <sup>6-7</sup>:</p><ul>
-<a href="/articles/pulmonary-cavity">pulmonary cavity</a>: wall thickness >2-4 mm <sup>4-5</sup>- +<a href="/articles/pulmonary-bleb">bleb</a>: pleural/subpleural, ≤1-2 cm diameter</li>
- +<li>
- +<a href="/articles/bulla">bulla</a>: pleural/subpleural, ≥1-2 cm diameter</li>
- +<li>
- +<a title="Honeycombing (lungs)" href="/articles/honeycombing-lungs">honeycombing</a>: subpleural stacks of cysts, typically 3-10 mm diameter with walls 1-3 mm in thickness</li>
- +<li>
- +<a title="Pneumatocele" href="/articles/pneumatocele-1">pneumatocele</a>: usually transient cystic airspace within the lung, usually due to pneumonia or trauma</li>
- +</ul><p>There are several mimics of pulmonary cysts:</p><ul>
- +<li>
- +<a href="/articles/pulmonary-cavitation">pulmonary cavity</a>: surrounded by mass, nodule, or consolidation, creating wall thickness >2-4 mm <sup>4-6</sup>
-<a href="/articles/pulmonary-bleb">bleb</a>: wall thickness <1 mm at the lung surface</li>- +<a title="Emphysema - general" href="/articles/pulmonary-emphysema">emphysema</a>: lucencies without wall and with central vessel</li>
-<a href="/articles/bulla">bulla</a>: wall thickness <1 mm</li>- +<a title="Cystic bronchiectasis" href="/articles/cystic-bronchiectasis">cystic bronchiectasis</a>: contiguous with other airways</li>
- +<li><a title="Congenital pulmonary airway malformation" href="/articles/congenital-pulmonary-airway-malformation">congenital pulmonary airway malformation</a></li>
References changed:
- 6. Hansell DM, Bankier AA, MacMahon H, McLoud TC, Müller NL, Remy J. Fleischner Society: glossary of terms for thoracic imaging. (2008) Radiology. 246 (3): 697-722. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2462070712">doi:10.1148/radiol.2462070712</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18195376">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
- 7. Ryu JH, Swensen SJ. Cystic and cavitary lung diseases: focal and diffuse. (2003) Mayo Clinic proceedings. 78 (6): 744-52. <a href="https://doi.org/10.4065/78.6.744">doi:10.4065/78.6.744</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12934786">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
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