Rigler notch sign
Description
Indentation in the border of a solid lung mass (thought to represent a nutrient/feeding vessel) and is suggestive of a bronchial carcinoma.
The sign is not pathognomonic of bronchial carcinoma being observed in other conditions, such as granulomatous infections or benign processes such as bronchial adenoma. The sign as a differentiating utility is limited.
History of the Rigler notch sign
1955 – Leo George Rigler (1896-1979) and E. Robert Heitzman (1927-2020) published findings of their blinded review of 132 lung films with spheroidal lung nodules. The study reviewed three radiological signs of lung nodules: calcification, cavitation and notching. The authors noted that calcification was associated with benign lesions and cavitation was indicative of malignancy. The authors describe a notch sign for the first time.
A new roentgen sign, the notching or umbilication of a border of a spheroidal nodule is described. It is best demonstrated in body-section roentgenograms. When definite, it is highly indicative of malignancy, either primary or metastatic. Wen equivocal, especially in very small lesions, it is of little value. The absence of this sign is of no significance.
Rigler and Heitzman, Radiology 1955
Fig. 5. Notch sign in a conventional roentgenogram. Squamous-cell carcinoma showing nodular density with notch sign on superior border (arrow). Radiology 1955
Rigler and Heitzman describe the notches pathologically and histologically.
In many histologic section of this small lesion shows an area of blood vessels surrounded by alveoli which is drawn into one side of the tumour. It is possible that the tumour has grown around this stalk, thus resembling the hilus of an organ.
Rigler and Heitzman, Radiology 1955
Fig. 8. Notch sign in a hypernephroma metastasis. A. Planigram showing large nodule in lung with marked indentation on lateral border, fairly characteristic of notch sign. B. Surgical specimen showing a deep groove (arrows) in the tumor corresponding to the notch. C. Microscopic section showing alveoli and blood vessels extending into the margin of the tumor. Radiology 1955
Associated Persons
- Leo George Rigler (1896-1979)
Alternative names
- Notch Sign of Malignancy
References
Historical references
- Rigler LG, Heitzman ER. Planigraphy in the differential diagnosis of the pulmonary nodule, with particular reference to the notch sign of malignancy. Radiology. 1955 Nov;65(5): 692-702.
- Rigler LG. A roentgen study of the evolution of carcinoma of the lung. J Thorac Surg. 1957 Sep; 34(3): 283-297
Eponymous term review
- Eisenberg RL. Clinical Imaging: An Atlas of Differential Diagnosis [Internet]. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010
- Gaillard F. Rigler notch sign (lungs). Radiopaedia.
eponymictionary
the names behind the name
Third year M.D. student at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle. Passionate about emergency and retrieval medicine, rural practice and clinical research
