Fig. 1

Representative computed tomography images of rabbit VX2 nodal metastasis models. A primary tumor can be seen outlined at 5 days post-inoculation in the right lower lobe (a) (although solid in this rabbit, some others had cavitation [inset]). This rabbit’s tumor demonstrated interval growth when re-imaged on day 9 (b). Scans from another rabbit at day 5 with negative nodal pathology reveal the left and right paratracheal nodes, which have been respectively outlined (c). The left paratracheal node is caudal to the right paratracheal node, requiring two different axial slices to visualize their maximal diameter. Although lymph node size remained relatively stable for the first 2 weeks, progressive enlargement could be more reliably appreciated thereafter. This can be seen in a rabbit imaged at day 21 (d). One rabbit developed a bronchopleural fistula with resulting right pneumothorax; the collapsed right lung can be seen lying against the heart (e)