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

Yu Zhang, Yan Shen, Jin Wei Qiang, Jian Ding Ye, Jie Zhang, Rui Ying Zhao

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