CT features of intrapulmonary lymph nodes confirmed by cytology

We retrospectively assessed the computed tomography features of intrapulmonary lymph nodes confirmed by cytology in 18 patients. The median size of the lymph nodes was 5.8 mm (range=3.3-8.5 mm). All were below the carina, and only one nodule, which was associated with an interlobar fissure, was over 20 mm from the chest wall. The nodules were oval, round, triangular, or trapezoidal; had sharply defined borders; were solid and homogenous; and were without calcification. Six nodules (33.3%) had a discrete thin tag extending to the pleura. Intrapulmonary lymph nodes can reliably be confirmed by fine needle aspiration with cytological diagnosis.