CT image features analysis in 5 different pathological types of lung GGO

Objective To compare the CT (computed tomography) image features of lung GGO (ground glass opacity) in 5 different pathologic types and provide evidences for preoperative diagnosis. Methods Clinical data about 76 lung GGO cases who had undergone surgery treatment from August 2012 to October 2015 in Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed and the CT image features of malignant lung GGO with 5 different pathologic types, including diameter (mm), density (HU), percentage of ground glass (%) and shape discrepancy, were compared. Results Of the 76 cases, there were 31 males with average age of (46.0±14.4) years and 45 females (43.0±16.8 years). Fourteen cases had atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), 15 cases with adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), 14 cases with microinvasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), 16 cases with well differentiated adenocarcinoma (WDAC), 17 cases with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (MDAC). The diameter, density of 5 different types of lung tumor in CT image increased gradually with malignant severity (P< 0.01), while the proportion of GGO decreased gradually (P< 0.01), and there were statistically significant difference in proportion of circle shape between different pathological types of GGO (F=9.94, P< 0.01), especially between well and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and microinvasive adenocarcinoma (37.5%±4.8% vs 50.0%±5.3%,P< 0.05;41.2%±7.2% vs 50.0%±5.3%,P< 0.05). Conclusion The diameter, density of 5 different types of lung GGO in CT image increases gradually with malignant severity, while the proportion of GGO decreases gradually. For patients with GGO in lung with malignant characteristic, measures should be taken to shorten the observation time and patients should be treated as early as possible.