[X-ray longitudinal and computed tomography in the diagnosis of peripheral tumor-like formations of the lungs].

Fifty eight patients with peripheral tumor-like formations of the lung (33 with cancer and 25 with benign formations) were examined by longitudinal tomography and CT. The potentialities of the two techniques in detecting the major semeiotic signs of cancer and malignant formations were compared. The main or major signs, such as the shape of shadow and the pattern of outlines, which make it possible to differentiate benign and malignant formations, are virtually equally imaged by the two techniques. CT is superior to X-ray longitudinal tomography in revealing minor calcifications and microdestructions, hyperplastic intrathoracic lymph nodes. The significance of some symptoms for differential diagnosis calls for further clarification.