Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the tracheobronchial tree: radiographic and CT findings in 12 patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) findings and clinical features of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the tracheobronchial tree. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chest radiographic and CT findings and clinical features of 12 histopathologically proved mucoepidermoid carcinomas in 12 consecutive patients (five male, seven female; age range, 9-72 years; mean age, 36 years) were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The tumors were located at the distal trachea (n = 1) or at a main (n = 2), lobar (n = 1), or segmental (n = 8) bronchus. On chest radiographs, the tumors appeared as central masses with post-obstructive pneumonia or peripheral atelectasis in four patients and as solitary pulmonary or endotracheobronchial nodules in eight. At CT, the tumors were all smoothly oval (n = 6) or lobulated (n = 6) in shape (ranging 9-40 mm in diameter), adapting to the branching features of the airways. Punctate calcification within the tumor was seen in six patients. Neither metastasis nor recurrence was seen after the surgical resection (follow-up of 8-103 months; mean, 30 months). CONCLUSION: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the tracheobronchial tree, usually located in a segmental bronchus, appears at CT as a smoothly oval or lobulated airway mass. It adapts to the branching features of the airways.