Evaluation of the dual vascular supply patterns in ground-glass nodules with a dynamic volume computed tomography

BACKGROUND In recent years,the detection rate of ground-glass nodules(GGNs)has been improved dramatically due to the popularization of low-dose computed tomography(CT)screening with high-resolution CT technique.This presents challenges for the characterization and management of the GGNs,which depends on a thorough investigation and sufficient diagnostic knowledge of the GGNs.In most diagnostic studies of the GGNs,morphological manifestations are used to differentiate benignancy and malignancy.In contrast,few studies are dedicated to the assessment of the hemodynamics,i.e.,perfusion parameters of the GGNs.AIM To assess the dual vascular supply patterns of GGNs on different histopathology and opacities.METHODS Forty-seven GGNs from 47 patients were prospectively included and underwent the dynamic volume CT.Histopathologic diagnoses were obtained within two weeks after the CT examination.Blood flow from the bronchial artery[bronchial flow(BF)]and pulmonary artery[pulmonary flow(PF)]as well as the perfusion index(PI)=[PF/(PF+BF)]were obtained using first-pass dual-input CT perfusion analysis and compared respectively between different histopathology and lesion types(pure or mixed GGNs)and correlated with the attenuation values of the lesions using one-way ANOVA,student’s t test and Pearson correlation analysis.RESULTS Of the 47 GGNs(mean diameter,8.17 mm;range,5.3-12.7 mm),30(64%)were carcinoma,6(13%)were atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and 11(23%)were organizing pneumonia.All perfusion parameters(BF,PF and PI)demonstrated no significant difference among the three conditions(all P>0.05).The PFs were higher than the BFs in all the three conditions(all P<0.001).Of the 30 GGN carcinomas,14 showed mixed GGNs and 16 pure GGNs with a higher PI in the latter(P<0.01).Of the 17 benign GGNs,4 showed mixed GGNs and 13 pure GGNs with no significant difference of the PI between the GGN types(P=0.21).A negative correlation(r=-0.76,P<0.001)was demonstrated between the CT attenuation values and the PIs in the 30 GGN carcinomas.CONCLUSION The GGNs are perfused dominantly by the PF regardless of its histopathology while the weight of the BF in the GGN carcinomas increases gradually during the progress of its opacification.

Values of high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function tests in managements of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

AIM:To investigate pulmonary involvement via pulmonary function tests (PFT) and high-resolution computed tomocjraphy (HRCT) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS:Thirty-four patients with chronic HCV infection without diagnosis of any pulmonary diseases and 10 healthy cases were enrolled in the study,PFT and HRCT were performed in all cases. RESULTS:A decrease lower than 80% of the predicted value was detected in vital capacity in 9/34 patients,in forced expiratory volume in one second in 8/34 patients,and in forced expiratory flow 25-75 in 15/34 patients,respectively.Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) was decreased in 26/34 patients.Findings of interstitial pulmonary involvement were detected in the HRCT of 16/34 patients.Significant difference was found between controls and patients with HCV infection in findings of HRCT (X^2=4.7,P=0.003).Knodell histological activity index (KHAI) of 28/34 patients in whom liver biopsy was applied was 9.0±4.7.HRCT findings,PFT values and DLCO were not affected by KHAI in patients with HCV infection.In these patients,all the parameters were related with age. CONCLUSION:We suggest that chronic hepatitis C virus infection may cause pulmonary interstitial involvement without evident respiratory symptoms.

Pulmonary lymphoma: computed tomography features with pathologic correlation

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the CT and pathology features of pulmonary lymphoma and to improve the understanding of this disease. Methods: The CT findings of 23 cases with pulmonary lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed and correlated with histopathology. Results: Of the 23 cases with pulmonary lymphoma, there were Hodgkin lymphoma (5 cases) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (18 cases). Multiple lesions were assessed in 16 cases and single lesion in 7 cases. The imaging findings were classified into 3 types: lobar and segmental involvement type (9/23 cases, 39.13%), nodular or mass-like involvement type (8/23 cases, 34.78%) and mixed type (6/23 cases, 26.09%). Air bronchogram sign (14/23 cases, 60.8%), CT angiogram sign (12/23 cases, 52.17%), ground glass opacity nodules (3/23 cases, 13.04%) and lesion across pulmonary lobes (4/23,17.39%) were the characteristic features of pulmonary lymphoma. Conclusion: Relative characteristic CT features of pulmonary lymphoma could be revealed, which shows clinical significance in the diagnosis of the disease.

Radiomic features from computed tomography to differentiate invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas from non-invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas appearing as part-solid groundglass nodules

Objective:We aim to investigate radiomic imaging features extracted in computed tomography(CT)images to differentiate invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas(IPAs)from non-IPAs appearing as part-solid ground-glass nodules(GGNs),and to incorporate significant radiomic features with other clinically-assessed features to develop a diagnostic nomogram model for IPAs.Methods:This retrospective study was performed,with Institutional Review Board approval,on 88 patients with a total of 100 part-solid nodules(56 IPAs and 44 non-IPAs)that were surgically confirmed between February 2014and November 2016 in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University.Quantitative radiomic features were computed automatically on 3D nodule volume segmented from arterial-phase contrast-enhanced CT images.A set of regular risk factors and visually-assessed qualitative CT imaging features were compared with the radiomic features using logistic regression analysis.Three diagnostic models,i.e.,a basis model using the clinical factors and qualitative CT features,a radiomics model using significant radiomic features,and a nomogram model combining all significant features,were built and compared in terms of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Decision curve analysis was performed for the nomogram model to explore its potential clinical benefit.Results:In addition to three visually-assessed qualitative imaging features,another three quantitative features selected from hundreds of radiomic features were found to be significantly(all P<0.05)associated with IPAs.The diagnostic nomogram model showed a significantly higher performance[area under the ROC curve(AUC)=0.903]in differentiating IPAs from non-IPAs than either the basis model(AUC=0.853,P=0.0009)or the radiomics model(AUC=0.769,P<0.0001).Decision curve analysis indicates a potential benefit of using such a nomogram model in clinical diagnosis.Conclusions:Quantitative radiomic features provide additional information over clinically-assessed qualitative features for differentiating IPAs from non-IPAs appearing as GGNs,and a diagnostic nomogram model including all these significant features may be clinically useful in preoperative strategy planning.

Utility of CT in differentiating liver metastases of well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms from poorly-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms

Objective： To determine the capability of dynamic enhanced computed tomography（CT） to differentiate liver metastases（LMs） of well-differentiated from poorly-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms（GEP-NENs）.Methods： Patients with LMs of GEP-NENs who underwent dynamic enhanced CT examination in Peking University Cancer Hospital from January 2009 to October 2015 were included and data were retrospectively analyzed. We assessed the qualitative and quantitative CT features to identify the significant differentiating CT features of LMs of poorly-differentiated GEP-NENs from those of well-differentiated GEP-NENs using univariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model.Results： The study included 22 patients with LMs of well-differentiated GEP-NENs and 32 patients with LMs of poorly-differentiated GEP-NENs. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the LMs of well-and poorly-differentiated GEP-NENs in terms of feeding arteries（36.4% vs. 75.0%, χ2=8.061,P=0.005）, intratumoral neovascularity（18.2% vs. 59.4%, χ2=9.047, P=0.003）, lymphadenopathy（27.3% vs. 81.2%,χ2=15.733, P〈0.001）, tumor-to-aortic ratio in the hepatic arterial and portal venous phase（T-A/AP： 0.297±0.080 vs.0.251±0.059, t=2.437, P=0.018; T-A/PVP： 0.639±0.138 vs. 0.529±0.117, t=3.163, P=0.003） and tumor-to-liver ratio in the hepatic arterial phase（T-L/AP： 1.108±0.267 vs. 0.907±0.240, t=2.882, P=0.006）. The LMs of poorlydifferentiated GEP-NENs showed more feeding arteries, more intratumoral neovascularity, more lymphadenopathy and a lower tumor-to-aortic ratio. Multivariate analysis suggested that intratumoral neovascularity [P=0.015, OR=0.108, 95% confidence interval（95% CI）, 0.018–0.646], lymphadenopathy（P=0.001,OR=0.055, 95% CI, 0.009–0.323） and T-A/PVP（P=0.004, OR=5.3 E–5, 95% CI, 0.000–0.044） were independent factors for differentiating LMs of poorly-differentiated from well-differentiated GEP-NENs.Conclusions： Dynamic enhanced CT features（intratumoral neovascularity, lymphadenopathy and T-A/PVP）are useful in the pathological classification of LMs of GEP-NENs.

Preliminary Application of Perfusion Imaging in Neoplasm in the Brain and Body with Multi-slice Helical CT

Objective： To evaluate the clinical value of perfusion imaging in neoplasm in the brain and body with Multi-slice helical CT. Methods： Twenty-eight patients with neoplasm were subjected to perfusion imaging with multi-slice helical CT, including 22 patients with brain neoplasm and 6 patients with body neoplasm. At first, CT routine scan was preformed to localize central slices of neoplasm. Then perfusion imaging of 4 and identical slices in central slices of neoplasm was performed by using CT cine scan. Scanning images were transferred into ADW3.1 work-station to create and analyze perfusion images and parameters. Results： Perfusion parameters of cerebral neoplasm had a remarkable increase. But, CBF value of different cerebral neoplasms had partial overlap; CBV value was increased slightly; MTT value had no apparently clinical value; PS value was increased significantly, pituitary neoplasm〉meningoma〉cerebral glioma≈cerebral metastasis. PS value could reveal the characters of cerebral neoplasm and had apparently clinical value. Perfusion parameters of body neoplasms have a remarkable increase too. Body tumors were liable to be interfered by breath movement. Perfusion parameters were helpful to differentiation diagnosis of neoplasm in the brain and body. PS images of neoplasm in the brain and body were helpful to defining tumor outline and finding small tumor. Conclusion： MSCT perfusion imaging provided a precise and relative simple method to quantitatively estimate blood perfusion status in tumors in the brain and body. The technique can be easily implemented on clinical scanners.

The diagnostic rules of peripheral lung cancer preliminary study based on data mining technique

Objective： To discuss the clinical and imaging diagnostic rules of peripheral lung cancer by data mining technique, and to explore new ideas in the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer, and to obtain early-stage technology and knowledge support of computer-aided detecting （CAD）. Methods： 58 cases of peripheral lung cancer confirmed by clinical pathology were collected. The data were imported into the database after the standardization of the clinical and CT findings attributes were identified. The data was studied comparatively based on Association Rules （AR） of the knowledge discovery process and the Rough Set （RS） reduction algorithm and Genetic Algorithm（GA） of the generic data analysis tool （ROSETTA）, respectively. Results： The genetic classification algorithm of ROSETTA generates 5 000 or so diagnosis rules. The RS reduction algorithm of Johnson＇s Algorithm generates 51 diagnosis rules and the AR algorithm generates 123 diagnosis rules. Three data mining methods basically consider gender, age, cough, location, lobulation sign, shape, ground-glass density attributes as the main basis for the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer. Conclusion： These diagnosis rules for peripheral lung cancer with three data mining technology is same as clinical diagnostic rules, and these rules also can be used to build the knowledge base of expert system. This study demonstrated the potential values of data mining technology in clinical imaging diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Clinical study of stomach neoplasm CT perfusion imaging

Objection:The purpose of this study is preliminarily to discuss stomach perfusion imaging technique with Multi-slice CT and its clinical application value in stomach neoplasm.Methods:Fifteen patients with known stomach neoplasm performed perfusion imaging with 4 or 16 slice CT.Performing perfusion imaging in central slice of neoplasm,using CT cine scan,slice thick 10 mm/2i;with high pressure syringe,injecting quickly from right elbow-front vein,dosage 45-50 mL,injec-tion rate 3.5-4.0 mL/s,scanning delay time 5 s,scanning total time 45 s.We performed perfusion CT post-processing using pancreatic mode of perfusion CT software.Blood flow(BF),blood volume(BV),mean transit time(MTT),and permeability surface(PS) of gastric wall and tumor were computed for every case.Results:BF,BV,MTT and PS of gastric tumor were 116.68 ± 90.09 mL/(min·100 g),9.57 ± 8.12 mL/100 g,10.07 ± 7.74 s,20.78 ± 19.68 mL/(min·100g),respectively.The P values for each CT perfusion parameters between gastric tumor and normal gastric wall were 0.001,0.021,0.155 and 0.031,respectively.Conclusion:Perfusion CT can provide hemodynamics of gastric tumors and play a key role in the diagnosis of gastric tumors.It's clinical application prospect will be fully broad.

Large cell carcinoma of lung: analysis of CT signs and review of the literature

Objective: Large cell carcinoma of lung is a very rare tumor. The clinical characteristics and CT imaging feature of large cell carcinoma of lung were discussed in this article. Methods: Eight cases of large cell carcinoma of lung proven by post-operational pathology were retrospectively analyzed from 2000 to 2005 and the literature on it was reviewed. Results: All 8 cases were men. The average age of patients was 64.88 years. Seven cases were smokers. Six cases had obvious chest stuffy, short breath, thrill dry cough. Hereinto 3 cases had cardinal red blood sputum. CT images of large cell carcinoma of lung were represented as single and peripheral mass or nodule. The distribution of large cell carcinoma of lung was short of some rule. 75% focus had clear finitude. One case showed internal calcification and 2 cases showed cavity. They did not show internal fat density. Conclusion: Large cell carcinoma of lung is difficult to be diagnosed before operation. Its CT finding is nonspecific.

The Use of Multislice Spiral CT to Predict the Resectability of Central Lung Cancer： Correlation with Pathologic and Surgical Findings

OBJECTIVE To assess the accuracy of multi-slice spiral CT （MSCT） with imaging reconstruction in judging central pulmonary vascular involvement from central lung cancer, and to explore its ability to predict the resectability of lung cancer. METHODS MSCTs were conducted on 48 patients who were diagnosed preoperatively with central lung cancer. Images of pulmonary arteries and veins that might affect Iobectomy or pneumonectomy were reconstructed by means of imaging processing techniques. Then the relationship of the tumor to the vessels was assessed prospectively on both axial CT images and axial CT images plus reconstructed images（CT-RI） in comparison to subsequent pathologic and surgical findings. RESULTS MSCTs were obtained on all 48 patients whom 42 underwent thoracotomy, Iobectomy or pneumonectomy. Compared with the axial CT images, CT-RI was more accurate in judging the relationship of the central pulmonary vessels to the tumor based on subsequent pathologic 78 vessels studied and surgical findings （186 vessels studied）（0.01 〈P〈0.05）. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of unresectability of the vessels were all remarkably higher with CT-RI （P〈0.01）. CONCLUSION MSCT with imaging reconstruction can improve the recognition of neoplastic invasion of central pulmonary vessels. It can be used to predict preoperatively the resectability of central lung cancer and to plan surgery.

Progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed during follow-up CT scan of digestive system neoplasm

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed during follow-up contrast material-enhanced multi-slice spiral computed tomography （MSCT） scan of digestive system neoplasm. Methods： Three-phase contrast material-enhanced MSCT were performed during the follow-up in patients with digestive system malignant tumor confirmed histologically. The progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed on contrast material-enhanced CT image were investigated at the 2 years follow-up with approximately 6 months interval. Results： The hepatic hyperperfusion disorders were showed in 39 patients on follow-up contrast material-enhanced MSCT scans. Among the 39 patients, initial hyperperfusion disorders were revealed in 6 （15.38%）, 26 （66.67%）, and 7 （17.95%） patients in 6, 12, and 18 months during follow-up respectively. The initial hyperperfusion disorders revealed in 12 months were more frequent than those revealed in 6 months （X2 = 14.82, P 〈 0.05） and 18 months （X2 = 15.02, P 〈 0.05）. Among the 39 patients, the hyperperfusion disorders progressed into liver metastasis based on typical CT findings in 37 （94.87%） patients, and were not obvious changes in 2 （5.13%） patients. Among the 37 patients, the hyperperfusion disorders progressed into metastasis in 10 （25.64%） patients in 6 months after the hyperperfusion disorders were revealed, and in 27（69.23%） patients in 12 months. The hyperperfusion disorders developing into metastasis were more in 12 months than those in 6 months （X2= 14.98, P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Most hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed at the follow-up of digestive system neoplasm may be early manifestations of liver metastasis. The careful follow-up of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders is necessary.

Attention Based Multi-Patched 3D-CNNs with Hybrid Fusion Architecture for Reducing False Positives during Lung Nodule Detection

In lung nodules there is a huge variation in structural properties like Shape, Surface Texture. Even the spatial properties vary, where they can be found attached to lung walls, blood vessels in complex non-homogenous lung structures. Moreover, the nodules are of small size at their early stage of development. This poses a serious challenge to develop a Computer aided diagnosis (CAD) system with better false positive reduction. Hence, to reduce the false positives per scan and to deal with the challenges mentioned, this paper proposes a set of three diverse 3D Attention based CNN architectures (3D ACNN) whose predictions on given low dose Volumetric Computed Tomography (CT) scans are fused to achieve more effective and reliable results. Attention mechanism is employed to selectively concentrate/weigh more on nodule specific features and less weight age over other irrelevant features. By using this attention based mechanism in CNN unlike traditional methods there was a significant gain in the classification performance. Contextual dependencies are also taken into account by giving three patches of different sizes surrounding the nodule as input to the ACNN architectures. The system is trained and validated using a publicly available LUNA16 dataset in a 10 fold cross validation approach where a competition performance metric (CPM) score of 0.931 is achieved. The experimental results demonstrate that either a single patch or a single architecture in a one-to-one fashion that is adopted in earlier methods cannot achieve a better performance and signifies the necessity of fusing different multi patched architectures. Though the proposed system is mainly designed for pulmonary nodule detection it can be easily extended to classification tasks of any other 3D medical diagnostic computed tomography images where there is a huge variation and uncertainty in classification.

基于CT GE Lung VCAR软件鉴别肺原位腺癌和微浸润腺癌

目的:利用GE Lung VCAR软件分析肺原位腺癌(AIS)与微浸润腺癌(MIA)的CT鉴别诊断要点。方法:收集2016年1月至2017年3月温州医科大学附属第一医院经病理证实的AIS患者50例、MIA患者55例。使用GE Lung VCAR软件对105例结节的CT图像进行三维后处理分析,比较2组结节实性成分及总体的左右径(LRD)、前后径(APD)、上下径(SID)、平均密度(DAVG)、非实性部分体积(VNS)、实性部分体积(V_S)、总体体积(V_T)、实性部分体积百分率(V_S%)以及形态学特征的差异,并与二维轴位CT图像肺窗下手动测量结节最大径的诊断效能进行比较,评估GE Lung VCAR软件的诊断价值。结果:AIS组与MIA组的二维手动测量最大径与软件分析获得结节实性部分及总体三径、V_S、V_T、V_S%、结节形态、毛刺征、结节与血管关系、累及血管根数的差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。GE Lung VCAR软件评估结节大小较手动测量诊断效能高;部分参数诊断效能由高到低分别为:累及血管根数、毛刺征、总体LRD、实性APD、V_T、V_S;最佳截断值分别为:累及3根血管、短毛刺征、总体LRD:14.5 mm、实性APD:8.5 mm、V_T:802 mm^3、V_S:133 mm^3。结论:GE Lung VCAR软件在肺结节CT诊断中具有较好实用价值,是鉴别AIS和MIA的一项有利工具。

Enhanced characterization of solid solitary pulmonary nodules with Bayesian analysis-based computer-aided diagnosis

The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the accuracy gain of Bayesian analysis-based computeraided diagnosis(CAD) vs human judgment alone in characterizing solitary pulmonary nodules(SPNs) at computed tomography(CT). The study included 100 randomly selected SPNs with a definitive diagnosis. Nodule features at first and follow-up CT scans as well as clinical data were evaluated individually on a 1 to 5 points risk chart by 7 radiologists, firstly blinded then aware of Bayesian Inference Malignancy Calculator(BIMC) model predictions. Raters' predictions were evaluated by means of receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis and decision analysis. Overall ROC area under the curve was 0.758 before and 0.803 after the disclosure of CAD predictions(P = 0.003). A net gain in diagnostic accuracy was found in 6 out of 7 readers. Mean risk class of benign nodules dropped from 2.48 to 2.29, while mean risk class of malignancies rose from 3.66 to 3.92. Awareness of CAD predictions also determined a significant drop on mean indeterminate SPNs(15 vs 23.86 SPNs) and raised the mean number of correct and confident diagnoses(mean 39.57 vs 25.71 SPNs). This study provides evidence supporting the integration of the Bayesian analysis-based BIMC model in SPN characterization.

Lung-RADS分级和CT征象诊断孤立性肺结节的价值

目的:研究肺部影像报告和数据系统(Lung-RADS)分级、CT征象及联合两种方法对孤立性肺结节的定性诊断价值。方法:分析240例孤立性肺结节的CT表现,观察其特征性影像学表现(边界是否光整、有无钙化、胸膜牵拉、毛刺、分叶、支气管截断、支气管充气、空泡、空洞及肿瘤血管征象)并测量大小。按照Lung-RADS分级标准对病灶重新分类,通过对有差异性的各个征象分值累计每个病灶的CT征象计分,对照病理结果,绘制ROC曲线,比较各方法对良恶性孤立性肺结节的诊断价值。结果:Lung-RADS分级诊断孤立性肺结节的敏感度、特异度、符合率分别为54.9%、68.9%、57.5%,ROC曲线下面积(AUC)为0.628(P<0.05);CT征象分值诊断肺结节的敏感度、特异度、符合率分别为81.5%、91.1%、83.3%,AUC为0.910(P<0.001);联合两种方法诊断时,诊断孤立性肺结节的敏感度、特异度、符合率分别为97.9%、95.6%、97.5%,AUC为0.988(P<0.001)。结论:Lung-RADS分级、CT征象对鉴别诊断肺结节良恶性均有重要价值,但CT征象评估的诊断效能优于Lung-RADS分级,两者联合应用可为孤立性肺结节的鉴别诊断提供重要依据。

Lung RADS 3-4级肺结节的CT诊断

目的:探讨Lung RADS分级在肺癌筛查的价值及恶性结节的特征变化,提高诊断准确率。方法:回顾性分析2 580例肺癌高危人群基线筛查资料,重新按Lung RADS分级标准,实性及部分实性结节≥6 mm、磨玻璃密度结节≥20 mm为筛查阳性界值,观察Lung RADS分级3-4级肺结节的肺癌阳性预测率;并分析随访中结节的细部特征变化。结果:与国际早期肺癌行动计划(I-ELCAP)筛查阳性结果比较,基线筛查总体阳性率从22.9%(591/2 580)降至13.8%(357/2 580),肺癌阳性预测率由6.9%(41/591)上升到11.5%(41/357)。其中3级(246例)手术病理确诊为肺癌8例,4A+4B级(共111例)手术病理确诊为肺癌33例,3+4级(357例)共确诊为肺癌的41例,与I-ELCAP分类统计确诊肺癌数量相同。结论 :Lung RADS分级更合理地分类肺癌筛查结果,减少了低风险患者的随访频率,提升肺癌阳性预测率,结合随访中结节特征变化,对提高肺结节的诊断准确率有很大的帮助。

Study on the correlation between CT appearance and expression of p53 protein in peripheral lung cancer

Objective: To investigatethecorrelationbetweenCT appearanceandexpressionof p53proteininperipheral lungcancer.Methods:Theexpressionof p53proteinwasexaminedby meansof SP immunohistochemicaltechniquein32casesof peripherallungcancer.TheircorrelationwiththepreoperativeCT appearancewas analyzedretrospectively.Results:Theexpressionof p53proteinwascorrelatedwithtumorsize,lobulation,cavitation,pleuralindentationandme-diastinallymphnodeenlargement,butnotwithspiculation.Tumorwithmaximumdiametergreaterthan3cm or withthe presenceof lobulation,cavitation,pleuralindentationor mediastinallymphnodelarger than10mminshortaxishada rel-ativelyhigherlevelof p53expression.Conclusion:CT signsof peripheral lungcancersarevaluablenotonlyindifferen-tiatingcancersfrombenignlesions,as knownbefore,butalsoinprovidingfurtherinformationforthemalignantpotential of cancers.Largertumorsize,lobulation,cavitation,pleuralindentation,andmediastinallymphnodeenlargementmaybe likelyrelatedto a higherdegreeof malignantpotentialandmoreaggressivetumorbehavior.

The value of chest CT scan and tumor markers detection in sputum for early diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of chest CT scan combined with telomerase activity and p16 gene methylation from exfoliated cells of sputum in 55 cases of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN; ≤30 mm)suspected early peripheral lung cancer. Methods The sputum specimens from 34 cases of cancer nodules and 21 cases of benign lesion were detected for telomerase activity by TRAP PCR ELISA and p16 gene methylation by PCR based methylation analysis. Results The qualitative diagnostic accuracy of CT scan was 61.8%(34/55) for SPN provided by pathology. Cytology analysis of sputum was positive in 13 cases (38.2%). Telomerase activity was positive in 29 cases: sensitivity was 79.4%, specificity was 90.5%, accuracy was 83.6%; p16 gene methylation was found in 11 cases: sensitivity was 32.4%, specificity was 100.0% , and accuracy was 58.2%. The sensitivity was increased to 86.1% by combination of telomerase activity and p16 gene methylation. Compared with nodules without malignant CT signs, expression of telomerase activity and p16 methylation of SPN with malignant CT signs (lobulation or spiculate protuberance or spicule sign) had a significant difference ( P <0.01). Conclusion The results suggest that chest CT scan combined with telomerase activity and p16 gene methylation detection in sputum for patients with peripheral lung cancer may enhance the diagnostic value of radiology and conventional cytology.

Cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening by low-dose CT in China:a micro-simulation study

Background:The effectiveness of lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography(LDCT)has been established.The current study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening with LDCT in a general population in China.Methods:A previously validated micro-simulation model was used to simulate a cohort of men and women on a lifetime horizon in the presence and absence of LDCT screening.The modeling data were collected from numerous national and international sources.Simulated screening scenarios included different combinations of screening intervals and start and stop ages.Additional costs(valued in Chinese Yuan,CNY;1 USD=6.8976 CNY,1 EUR=7.8755 CNY in 2020),life-years gained(LYG)and mortality reduction due to screening were also determined.The costs and life-years were discounted by 3%.All results were scaled to 1,000 individuals.The average cost-effectiveness ratio(ACER)was calculated.A willingness-to-pay threshold of CNY 217.3k/LYG was considered.A healthcare system perspective was adopted.Results:Compared to no screening,lung cancer screening by LDCT in a general Chinese population yielded 21.0-36.7 LYG in men and 9.2-16.6 LYG in women across the scenarios.For men,biennial LDCT screening yielded an ACER of CNY 171.4k-306.3k/LYG relative to no screening.Biennial screening performed between 55 and 75 years of age was optimal at the defined threshold;it resulted in CNY 174.6k/LYG and a lung cancer mortality reduction of 9.1%,and this scenario had a 75%probability of being cost-effective.For women,the ACER ranged from CNY 364.2k to 1193.3k/LYG.Conclusions:In China,lung cancer screening with LDCT in the general population including never smokers could be cost-effective for men with 75%probability,but not for women.The optimal strategy for men would be performing biennial screening between 55 and 75 years of age.

Single-lung transplantation for pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis(PAM)is a rare idiopathic lung disease characterized by the accumulation of innumerable microliths.Currently,effective therapeutics for PAM are not available,and the only treatment for end-stage lung disease is lung transplantation(LuTx).Further,there are few reports that focus on LuTx for the treatment of PAM,and the follow-up reports of postoperative imaging are even rarer.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old man presented to Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital in 2017 after experiencing shortness of breath and exacerbation.The patient was diagnosed with PAM and referred for single-LuTx(SLuTx)on March 14,2018.Preoperative imaging results from a chest X-ray demonstrated bilateral,diffuse,symmetrical,sandstorm-like radiopaque micronodules,and pneumothorax and a computed tomography scan revealed minute,calcified military nodules in both lungs.We performed a left SLuTx,and intraoperative pathology was consistent with PAM.One week after surgery,a chest X-ray revealed slight exudation of the left lung,and one month later,the left transplanted lung exhibited good dilation,mild pulmonary perfusion injury with local infection,and left pleural effusion.Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed left hyperplastic granulation at the left bronchial anastomosis.Multiple sputum cultures suggested the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii.The last follow-up was conducted in April 2019;the patient recovered well.CONCLUSION This case presents the imaging findings of a patient with PAM before and after LuTx and confirms the effectiveness of LuTx for the treatment of this disease.