Imaging appearances of diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to describe the imaging appearances of diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) on computed tomography (CT).Materials and methodsElectronic medical records were searched for patients with pathology-proven DIPNECH who had a CT available for review. Eleven patients were included.ResultsThe most common finding on CT was small pulmonary nodules which were present in all patients and were multiple (≥ 5) in 7/11 patients. Other CT findings included mosaic pattern attenuation and bronchial wall thickening/bronchiectasis.ConclusionDIPNECH should be considered as a diagnostic possibility when multiple small pulmonary nodules are identified on CT, particularly if there is an associated carcinoid tumor.