Predictive value of one-dimensional mean computed tomography value of ground-glass opacity on high-resolution images for the possibility of future change

• Published in: Journal of thoracic oncology Vol. 9; no. 4; p. 469
• Main Authors: Tamura, Masaya, Shimizu, Yosuke, Yamamoto, Toru, Yoshikawa, Jun, Hashizume, Yasuo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-04-2014
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - diagnostic imaging; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Disease Progression; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods
• ISSN: 1556-1380
• DOI: 10.1097/jto.0000000000000117

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between clinical and radiological findings and the progression of ground-glass opacity (GGO) and to identify risk factors that predict the outcome of pure GGO lesions.
A retrospective study was conducted on 63 nodules of pure GGO. Clinical characteristics, the largest diameter, shape, and marginal characteristics, and one-dimensional mean computed tomography (m-CT) value of the GGO lesions were evaluated. During follow-up, 12 GGO lesions increased in size, and 17 appeared as solid portion. These 29 lesions were classified as growth group, and the remaining 34 lesions as stable group.
The m-CT values were -634.9 ± 15.3 and -712.1 ± 14.1 HU for the growth and stable groups, respectively. The growth group was strongly associated with high m-CT values (p = 0.0007) and a history of lung cancer (p = 0.0389), whereas association with smoking habits and the shape of the GGO nodules was marginal. The m-CT values and a history of lung cancer were independent predictors for future changes in GGO lesions (p = 0.0023 and p = 0.0129, respectively). Sixteen of 18 lesions (88.9%) in patients without a history of lung cancer and with low m-CT values showed no nodule changes.
The m-CT value of GGO lesions is a risk factor associated with their future change. The interval of follow-up CT scanning or treatment policy should be determined considering the m-CT value.