CT of the pulmonary hilum: evaluation with thin-section ultrafast CT.

The recent progress of CT technology, such as spiral and ultrafast CT, has made it possible to obtain contiguous thin-section CT images of the pulmonary hilum during rapid injection of contrast material. These CT images consistently provide clear images of the pulmonary hilum, including normal peribronchovascular interstitium, bronchi, and pulmonary vessels, enabling a more precise and detailed evaluation of various pathological conditions than CT previously allowed. This article illustrates high-quality CT images in normal and abnormal conditions occurring in the pulmonary hilum and discusses the present CT diagnosis of various pulmonary hilar diseases.