Abstract:

Objective To analyze the imaging characteristics of malignant solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). Methods Totally 908 cases of SPN were collected. The imaging features of SPN were analyzed, including tumor microvascular CT sign, vascular convergence, lobulation sign and spiculation. Results In 908 SPN cases, 825 were malignant and 83 were benign. The detection rates of tumor microvascular CT sign, vascular convergence and spiculation were higher in malignant SPN than those in benign SPN (P<0.001). The detection rates of these features were different when malignant SPN were divided into three groups according to different SPN density(P<0.001), and they increased following SPN density increasing (P<0.001). In addition, the detection rates of these features were different when malignant SPN were divided into three groups according to the invasion depth of adenocarcinoma (P<0.001), and they also increased following the deepening of infiltration (P<0.001). Conclusions Tumor microvascular CT signs play an important role in the diagnosis of pure ground glass nodules and part of solid nodules, while vascular convergence, lobulation sign and spiculation are more valuable in qualitative diagnosis of solid nodules. These imaging features also show the diagnostic value in benign and malignant SPN.

Key words: Solitary pulmonary nodule, Chest CT, Imaging features