[Correlation study of high-resolution CT with pathologic finding of solitary small lung nodules].
OBJECTIVE
To correlate high resolution CT(HRCT) with pathologic findings and to evaluate the capability of HRCT versus conventional CT(CCT) to provide informations for accurate diagnosis of solitary small lung nodules.


METHODS
Seventy-three cases (75 nodules) of solitary lesions in the lung less than 3 cm in diameter were examined with HRCT (64 cases had CCT) before surgery and correlated with histo-pathologic findings.


RESULTS
In the 37 proven carcinoma, on HRCT, the lesions were round and oval in shape (34), deeply lobulated(28), with serrated margin(33), thin spiculation(37), air alveologram(19), and air bronchogram (10). Histologically, the tumor showed irregular growth pattern with interstitial fibrous proliferation and intra-tumoral residual air-containing spaces in alveoli and bronchioles. Intratumoral fat or calcification, satellate lesions, thick or long spicules, moderate or marked pleural adhesions, scallop-shaped contour were the common findings of benign lesions. HRCT was significantly superior to CCT in the assessment of the intra-structure, contour and margin of the lesion.


CONCLUSIONS
HRCT is recommended routinely for the evaluation of solitary small pulmonary nodules.
Jiang
T
T
Cancer Institute (Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing.
Shi
M
M
Lü
N
N
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods