Imaging methods in primary lung carcinoma

This article reviews the current status of imaging for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. The space available does not permit detailed discussion of the classic findings on chest radiography, but unusual or especially pertinent findings on chest radiographs and tomograms are summarized. Issues of early detection of lesions are also discussed. The appropriate application of chest tomography, computed tomography, and gallium scanning for the evaluation of mediastinal metastases is detailed, as is the use of radionuclide scans, tomography, computed tomography, and ultrasound for evaluation of extrathoracic metastasis.