Radiological Criteria

A hole in the lung with a wall, lumen and contents. Focus of increased density whose central portion has been replaced by air.

The following characteristics help in the differential diagnosis.

Number:

Multiple bilateral cavities would raise suspicion for either branchiogenous or hematogenous process. You should consider:

            Single cavity

Size:

A large cavity encompassing the entire lobe or lung should raise suspicion for gangrene of lung.

Location:

Wall Thickness:

Lining of Wall:

The wall lining is irregular and nodular in lung cancer or shaggy in lung abscess . The appearance is akin to stalactites and stalagmites.

Contents:

Associated Features: 

Ipsilateral lymph nodes or lytic lesions of the bone is seen with malignancy.

Evolution of Lesion: 

Many times review of old films to assess the evolution of the radiological appearance of the lesion extremely helpful. Examples

Etiology: 

Cavity can be encountered in practically most lung diseases.

Common diseases and their characteristics include:

Comprehension of the Above Principles: