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HRCT features distinguishing pre-invasive from invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas appearing as ground-glass nodules

  • Computed Tomography
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features that distinguish lung adenocarcinomas in situ (AISs) and minimally invasive adenocarcinomas (MIAs) from invasive adenocarcinomas (IACs) appearing as ground-glass nodules (GGNs), and to select candidates for sublobar resection.

Methods

Two hundred and twenty-nine patients with 237 GGNs of less than 2 cm (139 AIS-MIA nodules and 98 IAC nodules) confirmed by surgery and pathology were retrospectively reviewed. The HRCT features of the AIS-MIAs and IACs were analysed and compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were conducted to determine the cutoff values for the qualitative variables and their diagnostic performances.

Results

Significant differences were found in the density, nodule and solid component diameters, CT values of the ground-glass and solid components, lobulated shape, spiculated margin, abnormal pulmonary vein and artery, air bronchogram, and pleural indentation of the GGNs between the two groups. Multivariate and ROC analyses revealed that larger diameter of nodules (≥12.2 mm) and solid components (≥6.7 mm), and higher CT values of the solid components (≥ -192 HU) in the GGNs with air bronchogram were significantly associated with IACs.

Conclusions

HRCT can identify distinguishing morphological features between AIS-MIAs and IACs, and is helpful for selecting candidates for sublobar resection.

Key Points

• IACs appearing as GGNs were often ≥ 12.2 mm in diameter.

• IACs were often ≥ 6.7 mm in solid component diameter.

• The solid components of the IACs often exhibited ≥ -192 HU.

• IACs exhibited air bronchogram more frequently than AIS-MIAs.

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Abbreviations

AIS:

Adenocarcinoma in situ

MIA:

Minimally invasive adenocarcinoma

IAC:

Invasive adenocarcinoma

AAH:

Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia

GGN:

Ground-glass nodule

PGGN:

Pure ground-glass nodule

MGGN:

Mixed ground-glass nodule

HRCT:

High-resolution computed tomography

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Acknowledgments

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Jin Wei Qiang. The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies, whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article. This study has received funding by grants from national natural science foundation of China (81171340) and Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai (10411956800). One of the authors has significant statistical expertise. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Written informed consent was waived by the Institutional Review Board. Methodology: retrospective, diagnostic or prognostic study, performed at one institution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Jinshan Hospital & Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China

    Yu Zhang & Jin Wei Qiang

  2. Department of Radiology, Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200030, China

    Yan Shen & Jian Ding Ye

  3. Department of Pathology, Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200030, China

    Jie Zhang & Rui Ying Zhao

Authors
  1. Yu Zhang
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  2. Yan Shen
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  3. Jin Wei Qiang
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Correspondence to Jin Wei Qiang or Jian Ding Ye.

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Zhang, Y., Shen, Y., Qiang, J.W. et al. HRCT features distinguishing pre-invasive from invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas appearing as ground-glass nodules. Eur Radiol 26, 2921–2928 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-4131-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-4131-3

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