Lymphangitic spread of breast carcinoma: scintigraphic pattern with chest x-ray and computed tomography correlation.

Lymphangitic spread of metastases has distinct patterns on pulmonary scintigraphy and radiographic imaging. A 43-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer presented with shortness of breath. Symptomatology was studied with ventilation and perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy, chest radiograph, and computed tomography (CT). The scintigraphic pattern is consistent with prior descriptions of lymphangitic spread of tumor. The chest x-ray and CT were both performed within the prior 2 months and were confirmatory.