Neofissure after lobectomy of the right lung: Radiographic and CT findings

PURPOSE: To document the postlobectomy radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) appearance of neofissures of the right lung. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chest radiographs and CT scans from 25 patients who had undergone right lobectomy were assessed by two chest radiologists, and decisions on the findings were reached by consensus. Analyses included orientation of the neofissure and lobar reorientation of the remaining lobes. RESULTS: Neofissure location after right upper lobectomy (n = 13) was superior and anterior compared with the location of the left major fissure on both lateral radiographs and CT scans. After right middle lobectomy (n = 4), the neofissure had less vertical orientation than the left major fissure (the highest posterior portion was lower and the lowest anterior portion was higher than the left major fissure) on both lateral radiographs and CT scans. After right lower lobectomy (n = 8), two types of lobar reorientation and, accordingly, two types of neofissure were observed in the right lower lung zone (posteriorly and anteriorly high, respectively, on lateral radiographs). CONCLUSION: Analyses of neofissures on lateral radiographs and CT scans enable differentiation among various kinds of lobectomy.