Comet tail sign (chest)
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View The Radswiki's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Arlene Campos had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Arlene Campos's current disclosures- Comet tail sign in a CT chest scan
- Comet tail sign - CT chest
The comet tail sign is a finding that can be seen on CT scans of the chest. It consists of a curvilinear opacity that extends from a subpleural "mass" toward the ipsilateral hilum. The comet tail sign is produced by the distortion of vessels and bronchi that lead to an adjacent area of round atelectasis, which is the mass 2. The bronchovascular bundles appear to be pulled into the mass and resemble a comet tail.
Adjacent pleural thickening is almost always seen and well demonstrated at CT. On administration of IV contrast, homogeneous enhancement is seen. This, however may also be seen in carcinomas and hence cannot be used as a differentiating feature.
It should not be confused with:
References
- 1. Partap V. The Comet Tail Sign. Radiology. 1999;213(2):553-4. doi:10.1148/radiology.213.2.r99nv08553 - Pubmed
- 2. Chiarenza A, Esposto Ultimo L, Falsaperla D et al. Chest Imaging Using Signs, Symbols, and Naturalistic Images: A Practical Guide for Radiologists and Non-Radiologists. Insights Imaging. 2019;10(1):114. doi:10.1186/s13244-019-0789-4 - Pubmed
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