Background Ciliated Muconodular Papillary Tumor (CMPT) was first reported in 2002, and fewer than 100 cases have since been reported. The prognosis after surgical resection is good, and recurrence has not been reported. However, it is easily misdiagnosed as adenocarcinoma. Summarizing the CT features of CMPT will help doctors better understand the disease. Case presentation Here, we report a rare and interesting case of ciliated muconodular papillary tumor. A 6-mm diameter solid nodule with slight lobulation, short spines, and subpleural indentation. Patients with clinical diagnosis of high-risk subpleural nodule in the left lung underwent thoracoscopic surgery. Most CMPT cases lack specific clinical manifestations and were found incidentally on physical examination or during a workup for other diseases. The disease was diagnosed through CT and biopsy, and it responded well to surgery. Conclusions This paper presents the detailed computed tomography features of CMPT to help prevent misdiagnosis. The typical manifestations of CMPT imaging as solid and partial nodules, nodules in subpleural or peripheral zones, and nodules contain cavities.