Abstract: Objective To analyze the CT features of consolidative lung cancer and tuberculous consolidations for differential diagnosis. Methods The CT scans of 50 patients with consolidative lung cancer and 50 patients with tuberculous consolidation between 1998 and 2005 were reviewed and the following CT signs of two groups were compared,including the location of consolidation,cavity,air bronchogram,ground-glass opacity surrounding the consolidation,bulging of the interlobar fissure,and characteristics of disseminations through the airway. Results Male(cancer group n=24,tuberculosis group n=29),female(cancer group n=26,tuberculosis group n=21),and average age(cancer group is 50,tuberculosis group is 45).There is a significant difference between two groups in the following signs,such as multi-lobar consolidation(cancer group n=22,tuberculosis group n=9),lower lobe distribution of the isolated consolidation(cancer group n=17,tuberculosis group n=10),homogenous consolidation(cancer group n=36,tuberculosis group n=17),liquefaction(cancer group n=3,tuberculosis group n=33),cavity or cyst(cancer group n=10,tuberculosis group n=28),clear boundary of ground-glass opacity(cancer group n=7,tuberculosis group n=0).Narrowing of the involved bronchi(cancer group n=18,tuberculosis group n=7),dilatation of the involved bronchi(cancer group n=4,tuberculosis group n=15).Airway dissemination(cancer group n=15,tuberculosis group n=43),and among them various airway dissemination in same patient(cancer group n=0,tuberculosis group n=33). ConclusionThe signs are helpful for differential diagnosis,including localities of the consolidations,multi lobar or segmental distribution,density of consolidation,liquefaction,cavity,clear boundary of ground-glass opacity and various airway dissemination in same patient.However,many signs and symptoms should be considered together for diagnosis.

Key words: Pulmonary tuberculosis/diagnosis, Lung cance, Tomography,X-ray computer