Comet tail sign (CT thorax)

The comet tail sign is a radiological finding seen in chest CT. It refers to a specific appearance resembling a comet's tail, characterised by a bright, streaky opacity due to the presence of a round atelectasis in chest CT.^[1]

Description

In case of a round atelectatic mass, the nearby bronchovascular bundle appears to be pulled into the mass, resembling the tail of a comet. The comet tail usually extends from a central point in the lung periphery towards the hilum. If intravenous contrast is injected, homogenous enhancement is seen.^[2]

References

^ Chiarenza, Alessandra; Esposto Ultimo, Luca; Falsaperla, Daniele; Travali, Mario; Foti, Pietro Valerio; Torrisi, Sebastiano Emanuele; Schisano, Matteo; Mauro, Letizia Antonella; Sambataro, Gianluca; Basile, Antonio; Vancheri, Carlo; Palmucci, Stefano (4 December 2019). "Chest imaging using signs, symbols, and naturalistic images: a practical guide for radiologists and non-radiologists". Insights into Imaging. 10 (1): 114. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
^ Partap, Vince A. (November 1999). "The Comet Tail Sign 1". Radiology. 213 (2): 553–554. doi:10.1148/radiology.213.2.r99nv08553.

[1] Chiarenza, Alessandra; Esposto Ultimo, Luca; Falsaperla, Daniele; Travali, Mario; Foti, Pietro Valerio; Torrisi, Sebastiano Emanuele; Schisano, Matteo; Mauro, Letizia Antonella; Sambataro, Gianluca; Basile, Antonio; Vancheri, Carlo; Palmucci, Stefano (4 December 2019). "Chest imaging using signs, symbols, and naturalistic images: a practical guide for radiologists and non-radiologists". Insights into Imaging. 10 (1): 114. Retrieved 15 November 2023.

[2] Partap, Vince A. (November 1999). "The Comet Tail Sign 1". Radiology. 213 (2): 553–554. doi:10.1148/radiology.213.2.r99nv08553.

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