E-ISSN: 1305-3612
Longitudinal evolution of incidentally detected solitary pure ground-glass nodules on CT: relation to clinical metrics
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Chest Imaging - Original Article
VOLUME: 21 ISSUE: 5
P: 385-390
September 2015

Longitudinal evolution of incidentally detected solitary pure ground-glass nodules on CT: relation to clinical metrics

Diagn Interv Radiol 2015;21(5):385-390
DOI: 10.5152/dir.2015.14457
Mario Silva 1
Alexander A. Bankier 2
Francesco Centra 3
Davide Colombi 3
Luca Ampollini 4
Paolo Carbognani 4
Nicola Sverzellati 3
1. Section of Radiology, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, Italy; Section of Cardiothoracic Imaging, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
2. Section of Cardiothoracic Imaging, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
3. Section of Radiology, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, Italy.
4. Section of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, Italy.
No information available.
No information available
Received Date: 03.11.2014
Accepted Date: 09.02.2015
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ABSTRACT

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess the relation between basic clinical parameters and evolution of solitary pure ground-glass nodules (pGGN) in the lungs.

METHODS

Baseline and follow-up computed tomography (CT) of patients with solitary pGGN were selected and two radiologists independently reviewed CTs for nodule characterization. CT features of solitary pGGN were manually measured maximum diameter (D1) and its orthogonal diameter (D2), mean diameter (mD), D1 to D2 ratio as surrogate of roundness, and location according to lobar anatomy. Longitudinal changes were assessed and solitary pGGNs were classified as resolved or persisting. Persisting nodules were further classified as stable or grown according to an increase in mD of ≥2 mm or appearance of solid component. Baseline CT features of solitary pGGNs and clinical metrics of patients were compared between resolved and persisting nodules and, thereafter, between stable and grown lesions.

RESULTS

A total of 95 subjects with solitary pGGN were included. After a median 16-month follow-up, 20 nodules resolved, while 75 persisted. Among persisting nodules, 18 were grown and 57 were stable. Grown nodules showed larger D1 and mD compared with stable pGGNs (P < 0.001). Subjects with grown nodules were older (P = 0.021). Logistic regression analyses showed higher likelihood of growth for nodules ≥10 mm (odds ratio [OR], 8.355; P = 0.001) and subjects older than 67 years (OR, 3.656; P = 0.034).

CONCLUSION

Nodules ≥10 mm in subjects older than 67 years showed higher likelihood of growth. These data could contribute to a more individual approach to the management of solitary pGGN.