Background: To study digital subtraction angiography ( DSA) features of pulmonary hypoperfusion in lung cancer with cancerous invasion of central pulmonary artery ( CICPA) .
Methods: Twenty-six cases of lung cancer combined with CICPA underwent pulmonary DSA. The DSA features of pulmonary hypoperfusion, including pulmonary vessel signs and lung parenchyma signs, were observed, and the time-density curve( TDC) of both abnormal sides and the coordinate normal sides was drawn and analyzed.
Results: There were 38 lobar arteries showing cancerous invasion in 26 cases and 34 ( 89. 5%) lobes presenting pulmonary hypoperfusion. There was a good correlation between pulmonary hypoperfusion and the degree of central pulmonary artery ( CPA) stenosis ( P < 0. 05) . DSA pulmonary vessel signs included abrupt cut-off ( 11. 8%, 4/ 34) or less branches ( 88. 2%, 30/ 34) of pulmonary arteries, and disappearance ( 41. 2%, 14/ 34) or decrease ( 58. 8%, 20/ 34) of terminal pulmonary arteries. DSA lung parenchyma signs were pulmonary capillary perfusion disappearing ( 14. 7%, 5/ 34) or weakening ( 85. 3%, 29/ 34) .
Conclusions: Pulmonary lobes supplied by central pulmonary arteries invaded by lung cancers usually present pulmonary hypoperfusion. Pulmonary hypoperfusion is closely correlative with the degree of CPA stenosis. Pulmonary vessel signs and lung parenchyma signs are very important phenomena of pulmonary hypoperfusion.