Localized pure ground-glass opacity on high-resolution CT: histologic characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to assess the histologic characteristics in cases of localized pure ground-glass opacity (LPGGO) that do not exhibit consolidation on high-resolution CT (HRCT) images.


METHODS
Twenty surgically resected lesions from 20 consecutive cases were retrospectively investigated. Each of the 20 lesions had exhibited LPGGO on HRCT images. The HRCT images and histopathologic findings were examined for correlations.


RESULTS
The areas of LPGGO had a maximum diameter of 2.0-24 mm on the HRCT images. Histopathology of the LPGGO lesions resulted in diagnosis of fibrosis (n = 3; 15%), atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (n = 5; 25%), bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (n = 10; 50%), and adenocarcinoma with stromal invasion (n = 2; 10%). Nonaerogenous components corresponding to solid components without normal alveolar septal destruction were pathologically observed in 15 of the 20 lesions. The diameter of the nonaerogenous components varied between 0.2 and 2.0 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
Because 10% of LPGGO lesions include invasive disease, patients with LPGGO should undergo pathologic examination for confirmation.
Nakajima
Ryu
R
Pathology Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute East, Chiba, Japan.
Yokose
Tomoyuki
T
Kakinuma
Ryutaro
R
Nagai
Kanji
K
Nishiwaki
Yutaka
Y
Ochiai
Atsushi
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018255:Adenomatosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed