The challenge of solitary pulmonary nodules: HRCT evaluation.
Both enhancement and morphologic analysis have been shown important in the HRCT study of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). In our prospective study, 25 adult patients with benign (N = 8) or malignant (N = 17) SPNs were examined before and after contrast agent. We obtained three serial thin section CT scans every 60 s after the onset of the injection of contrast material. All 17 malignant nodules did enhance very significantly (P < 0.001). Benign nodules did not enhance significantly (P > 0.05). Using 20 HU as a threshold for positivity of the contrast test, our sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 74%, positive predictive value was 89.5%, negative predictive value was 100%, and accuracy was 92%; test bias was 1.118. In our opinion, HRCT evaluation of SPNs is the most widely available tool to save cost and decline in morbidity in management.
Potente
G
G
Institute of Radiology, University of Rome I, Italy.
Iacari
V
V
Caimi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014375:Tuberculoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D003287:Contrast Media