ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical value of multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging for blood supply of pulmonary mixed ground-glass nodules (mGGN). MethodsThe mGGN patients were retrospectively analyzed from March 2011 to May 2015 in Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering, Handan First Hospital and Xingtai People's Hospital. Multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging for blood supply was applied to evaluate the blood supply of solid lesions in mGGN, and the diagnostic values of CT perfusion parameters were compared for differentiating the benigh mGGN from the malignant mGGN. ResultsTotally 97 mGGN patients were enrolled in this study, in which 80 were malignant mGGN and 17 were benigh mGGN. Blood volume (BV), peak enhancement image (PEI) and permeability surface (PS) in malignant mGGN lesions were higher than those of benign lesions, while the time to peak was less than that of benign lesions, and the differences were all statistically significant (P < 0.05). BV, PEI and PS in minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) patients were significantly higher than those in the patients with precancerous lesions (P < 0.05). BV and PS in IAC patients were significantly higher than those in MIA patients (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that IAC, MIA and the precancerous lesions, BV, PEI and PS were positively correlated with mGGN. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy rates with BV+PS+PEI combined, were 95.28%, 86.65%, 91.10%, 87.52% and 91.76%, respectively, while the area under ROC curve was significantly higher than those with single parameter (P < 0.05). ConclusionMulti-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging can evaluate the blood supply of mGGN, and BV+PS+PEI combined can be used in differentiation of the benigh and malignant mGGN.
Objective To analyze the relationship between the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) gene mutation and malignant pulmonary focal ground-glass lesion (fGGL). Methods We retrospectively collected the clinical data of 86 patients with surgical treatment in the department of cardiothoracic surgery of Changzheng Hospital from August 2012 to February 2015. There were 26 males and 60 females with a mean age of 56.14±10.55 years. We analyzed the relationship between the EGFR gene mutation and the related clinical data. Results Postoperative pathology showed atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) combined with focal adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) or AIS in 10 patients, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) in 15, and lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA) in 61. The EGFR gene mutation reports showed the exon 19 19-del mutation in 14 patients, exon 21 L858R mutation in 27, and exon 21 L861Q mutation in 2. There was no difference between the mutation of EGFR gene and clinical factors except age and smoking (P>0.05). Till June 30, 2015, all patients were alive and follow-up was 440.48±186.61 days. Conclusion The EGFR gene in patients with malignant pulmonary fGGL shows a higher mutation rate, which provides important clinical reference data for the basic research and the clinical treatment.
ObjectiveTo investigate the preoperative localization of pulmonary glabrous nodules.MethodsA total of 192 patients admitted to General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from April 2012 to September 2019 were selected for the study. There were 95 males and 97 females at an age of 56.47±11.79 years. All patients completed preoperative examination, and were divided into a positioning group (n=97) and a non-positioning group (n=95) according to whether the preoperative positioning was performed. And the surgical indicators between the two groups were compared. According to the substance of ground-glass opacity, they were divided into a pure ground-glass nodules group (n=23) and a mixed ground-glass nodules group (n=74) in the positioning group and a pure ground-glass nodules group (n=14) and a mixed ground-glass nodules group (n=81) in the non-positioning group . According to the size and distance of the nodules from the pleura and whether the nodules could be detected, the corresponding linear function was obtained.ResultsThe operative time of methylene blue localization group was shorter than that of the no localization group. In the scatter plot, the corresponding diameter and depth of the nodules and the corresponding coordinate points which can be explored were described. And linear regression was performed on all the coordinate points to obtain the linear function: depth=0.648×diameter–1.446 (mm). It can be used as an indication for the preoperative localization of pure ground-glass nodules in Da Vinci robotic surgery. Linear function: depth=0.559 5×diameter+0.56 (mm). It can be used as an indication of preoperative localization of mixed ground-glass nodules in Da Vinci robotic surgery.ConclusionThis equation can be used as a preoperative indication for clinical peripheral pulmonary ground-glass nodules.
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical experience of surgical resection of synchronous multiple ground-glass nodules (SMGN), and explore the individualized diagnosis and treatment strategy of SMGN.MethodsClinical data of 84 patients with SMGN who underwent thoracic surgery in Anhui Chest Hospital from July 2016 to August 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, including 18 males (21.4%) and 66 females (78.6%), aged 32-80 (55.6±10.3) years. The results of operation and the information of GGNs were analyzed.ResultsExcept for 1 patient who was converted to thoracotomy due to extensive dense adhesion of thoracic, other patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery successfully. All patients recuperated successfully after operation, without severe perioperative complications or death. Finally, 79 patients were diagnosed as malignant tumors (94.0%), and 5 patients of benign lesions (6.0%). A total of 240 GGNs were removed, among which there were 168 pGGNs, including 68 benign lesions (40.5%) and 100 malignant tumors (59.5%), and 72 mGGNs, including 2 benign nodules (2.8%) and 70 malignant tumors (97.2%). Nodules diameter (P<0.001), consolidation/maximum diameter of nodule ratio (P<0.001), vacuole sign (P<0.001), air bronchograms sign (P=0.001), spine-like process (P=0.001), pleural indentation sign (P<0.001), lobulation sign (P<0.001), and vascular convergence (P=0.002) were correlated with malignant tumor.ConclusionAnalysis of the imaging features of GGNs by thin-section CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction is of great value in predicting the benign and malignant nodules, which can guide the surgical decision-making and preoperative planning. Through reasonable preoperative planning and following certain principles, simultaneous surgical treatment for SMGN is safe and feasible.
With the development and improved availability of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), an increasing number of patients are clinically diagnosed with lung cancer manifesting as ground-glass nodules. Although radical surgery is currently the mainstay of treatment for patients with early-stage lung cancer, traditional anatomic lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection (MLND) are not ideal for every patient. Clinically, it is critical to adopt an appropriate approach to pulmonary lobectomy, determine whether it is necessary to perform MLND, establish standard criteria to define the scope of lymph node dissection, and optimize the decision-making process. Thereby avoiding over- and under-treatment of lung cancer with surgical intervention and achieving optimal results from clinical diagnosis and treatment are important issues before us.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness and safety of preoperative lung localization by microcoil and anchor with scaled suture.MethodsA total of 286 patients underwent CT-guided puncture localization consecutively between October 2019 and December 2020 in our hospital. According to the different methods of localization, they were divided into a microcoil group (n=139, including 49 males and 90 females, aged 57.92±10.51 years) and an anchor group (n=147, including 53 males and 94 females, aged 56.68±11.31 years). The clinical data of the patients were compared.ResultsA total of 173 nodules were localized in the microcoil group, and 169 nodules in the anchor group. The localization success rate was similar in the two groups. However, the anchor group was significantly better than the microcoil group in the localization time (8.15±2.55 min vs. 9.53±3.08 min, P=0.001), the pathological receiving time (30.46±14.41 min vs. 34.96±19.75 min, P=0.029), and the hemoptysis rate (10.7% vs. 30.1%, P=0.001), but the pneumothorax rate was higher in the anchor group (21.3% vs. 11.0%, P=0.006).ConclusionPreoperative localization of small pulmonary nodules using anchor with suture is practical and safe. Due to its simplicity and convenience, it is worth of promotion in the clinic.
Objective To explore the clinical value of artificial intelligence (AI) quantitative parameters of pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGN) in predicting the degree of infiltration. Methods A retrospective analysis of 168 consecutive patients with 178 GGNs in our hospital from October 2019 to May 2021 was performed, including 43 males and 125 females, aged 21-78 (55.76±10.88) years. Different lesions of the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. Totally, 178 GGNs were divided into two groups, a non-invasive group (24 adenocarcinoma in situ and 77 minimally invasive adenocarcinoma), and an invasive group (77 invasive adenocarcinoma). We compared the difference of AI quantitative parameters between the two groups, and evaluated predictive valve by receiver operating characteristic curve and binary logistic regression model. Results (1) Except for the gender (P=0.115), the other parameters, such as maximal diameter [15.10 (11.50, 21.60) mm vs. 8.90 (7.65, 11.15) mm], minimum diameter [10.80 (8.85, 15.20) mm vs. 7.40 (6.10, 8.95) mm], proportion of consolidation/tumor ratio [13.58% (1.61%, 63.76%) vs. 0.00% (0.00%, 0.67%)], mean CT value [–347.00 (–492.00, –101.50) Hu vs. –598.00 (–657.50, –510.00) Hu], CT maximum value [40.00 (–40.00, 94.50) Hu vs. –218.00 (–347.00, –66.50) Hu], CT minimum value [–584.00 (–690.50, –350.00) Hu vs. –753.00 (–786.00, –700.00) Hu], danger rating (proportion of high-risk nodules, 92.2% vs. 66.3%), malignant probability [91.66% (85.62%, 94.92%) vs. 81.81% (59.98%, 90.29%)] and age (59.93±8.53 years vs. 52.04±12.10 years) were statistically significant between the invasive group and the non-invasive group (all P<0.001). (2) The highest predictive value of a single quantitative parameter was the maximal diameter (area under the curve=0.843), the lowest one was the risk classification (area under the curve=0.627), the combination of two among the three parameters (maximal diameter, mean CT value, and consolidation/tumor ratio) improved the predictive value entirely. (3) Logistic regression analysis showed that maximal diameter and mean CT value both were the independent risk factor for predicting invasive adenocarcinoma. (4) When the threshold of v was 1.775%, the diagnostic sensitivity of invasive adenocarcinoma was 0.753 and the specificity was 0.851. Conclusion AI quantitative parameters can effectively predict the degree of infiltration of GGNs and provide a reliable reference basis for clinicians.
ObjectiveTo explore the predictive value of CT signs of mixed ground-glass nodules in the pathological subtype and differentiation of lung adenocarcinoma. MethodsThe clinical data of 66 patients with mixed ground-glass nodules pathologically diagnosed as invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) in the Second Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from May to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 males and 46 females, aged 35-75 years. The CT findings were analyzed before operation, and the lesion profile was cut after operation to distinguish the ground-glass and solid components, and the pathological results of different positions were obtained. According to the postoperative pathological results, the patients were divided into a low-risk group (containing adherent type and no components of micropapillary subtype and solid subtype, n=16), a medium-risk group (containing niple or acinar type and no components of micropapillary subtype and solid subtype, n=38), and a high-risk group (containing micropapillary or solid subtype, n=12). The relationships between CT features and the pathological subtype and degree of differentiation were analyzed and compared. ResultsIn 66 patients with IAC, the infiltration degree of solid components was greater than that of ground-glass components. When the solid component ratio (CTR) was≥25% (sensitivity 90.2%, specificity 64.0%, P=0.005), and the average CT value was＞−283.95 HU (sensitivity 82.9%, specificity 64.0%, P=0.000), the histological grade was more inclined to medium and low differentiation. The CTR, Ki-67, average CT value and histological grade of IAC in the medium- and high-risk groups were higher than those of nodules in the low-risk group. ConclusionThe infiltration degree of solid components is higher than that of ground-glass components in IAC mixed ground-glass nodules. The pathological subtype, Ki-67 expression and histological grade of lung adenocarcinoma can be predicted according to its CT characteristics, which has important clinical significance for determining the timing of surgery.
Whether anatomical segmentectomy can replace lobectomy in the treatment of early-stage lung cancer remains controversial. A large number of studies have been conducted for decades to explore whether pulmonary segmentectomy can treat early-stage lung cancer, which is actually to explore the indications of intentional segmentectomy. With the development of scientific researches, it is found that many characteristics affect the malignancy of lung cancer, and the different grades of each characteristic affect the prognosis of patients. It is worth exploring whether different surgical approaches can be used for early-stage lung cancer with different characteristics and different grades. This article reviews the literature and studies to discuss the advances in indications of segmentectomy for early-stage lung in terms of tumor size, consolidation-to-tumor ratio, pathological classification and tumor location, respectively. The objective of this review is to help thoracic surgeons to objectively and scientifically select the surgical method according to the clinical characteristics of early-stage lung cancer.
Objective To develop and assess the performance of a predictive model for the infiltration degree of solitary pulmonary pure ground-glass nodules (pGGN) using CT, blood cell parameters, and tumor markers. Methods The clinical data of patients with solitary pulmonary pGGN, collected from Tangshan Gongren Hospital between June 2021 and April 2024, were analyzed. They were divided into a training set and a test set in a 7∶3 ratio. Lasso-logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for invasive adenocarcinoma and construct the model. The model's performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), and accuracy. Results The study included 528 patients (265 males, 263 females) with a median age of 54 years (interquartile range: 45-59). Lasso-logistic regression identified increased diameter, vascular convergence sign, pleural indentation sign, elevated mean CT value, and elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels as independent risk factors for solitary pulmonary pGGN infiltration. In contrast, a rounded or similarly rounded shape and an elevated platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio were independent protective factors (P<0.05). In the training set, the area under the ROC curve of model Z (comprising diameter, vascular convergence sign, pleural indentation sign, rounded or similarly rounded, mean CT value, carcinoembryonic antigen, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio) was 0.875, which was greater than that of model C (comprising diameter, vascular convergence sign, pleural indentation sign, rounded or similarly rounded, and mean CT value; 0.852) and model S (comprising carcinoembryonic antigen and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio; 0.753). The MAE, MSE, and accuracy of model Z were 0.035, 0.003, and 0.808, respectively, which were lower than those of model C (0.058, 0.006, and 0.827) and higher than those of model S (0.031, 0.001, and 0.648). In the test set, the area under the ROC curve, MAE, MSE, and accuracy of model Z were 0.829, 0.051, 0.004, and 0.755, respectively, which were higher than those of model C (0.780, 0.038, 0.002, and 0.730) and model S (0.740, 0.042, 0.002, and 0.692). Conclusion The model constructed from diameter, vascular convergence sign, pleural indentation sign, rounded or similarly rounded shapes, mean CT value, carcinoembryonic antigen, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio aids in assessing the infiltration degree of pulmonary pGGN, with superior performance compared to models based solely on CT or those based on tumor markers combined with blood cell parameters.