Computed tomography of pleural disease.

The computed tomography (CT) scans of 65 cases with histologic and clinical evidence of pleural disease were reviewed. The studies were analyzed according to the following CT features of the lesions: attenuation coefficient, contour, angle of interface with the adjacent pleura, and relationship to the adjacent lung, bone, and extrapleural tissues. The CT feature most helpful in detecting pleural involvement was the angle formed by the interface of the lesion with the adjacent pleura. An obtuse or tapering angle was seen in lesions involving the pleura. The other CT features are useful in identifying the site of origin and the specific nature of a lesion.