ABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced CT scans in differential diagnosis of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), minimal invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) in patients who manifested as ground glass nodules (GGNs) or mixed GGNs (mGGNs) in unenhanced CT imaging.@*Methods@#The unenhanced and enhanced CT images of 194 patients with GGNs in the lung were retrospectively analyzed, including 64 cases with pre-invasive lesions, 80 cases with MIA, and 50 cases with IAC. The prediction of pathological types was based on maximal diameters and the solid portions of the lesions displayed on unenhanced and enhanced CT images, and then compared with pathological diagnosis.@*Results@#In 64 patients with pre-invasive lesions, the CT value increased in 59 cases after contrast-enhanced administration, whereas the solid portions increased in 5 cases. In the 80 patients with MIA, solid portions increased in 50 cases and the CT value increased in 30 cases after contrast administration. In 50 cases with IAC, almost all of them showed increased solid portions, whereas only 2 cases showed an increase of CT values. In the pre-invasive group and the MIA group, the increase of CT values after contrast administration was (45.88±15.97) HU and (66.47±44.54) HU, respectively, showing statistically significant difference (P=0.001). The increase of solid portions in the MIA group and IAC group was (1.55±0.73) mm and (1.88±0.75) mm, respectively, also showing significant difference (P=0.032).@*Conclusion@#Contrast-enhanced CT scans were more useful than unenhanced CT scans for the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinomas manifesting as GGNs .
ABSTRACT
Background and objective As computed tomography (CT) screening for lung cancer becomes more common in China, so too does detection of pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGNs). Although anumber of national or international guidelines about pulmonary GGNs have been published,most of these guidelines are produced by respiratory, oncology or radiology physicians, who might not fully understand the progress of modern minimal invasive thoracic surgery, and these current guidelines may overlook or underestimate the value of thoracic surgery in the management of pulmonary GGNs. In addition, the management for pre-invasive adenocarcinoma is still controversial. Based onthe available literature and experience from Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, we composed this consensus about diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary GGNs. For lesions which are considered as adenocarcinoma in situ, chest thin layer CT scan follow-up is recommended and resection can only be adopt in some specific cases and excision should not exceed single segment resection. For lesions which are considered as minimal invasive adenocarcinoma, limited pulmonary resection or lobectomy is recommended. For lesions which are considered as early stage invasive adenocarcinoma, pulmonary resection is recommend and optimal surgical methods depend on whether ground glass component exist, location, volume and number of the lesions and physical status of patients. Principle of management of multiple pulmonary nodules is that primary lesions should be handled with priority, with secondary lesions taking into account. .