Differential diagnosis of ground-glass opacity nodules: CT number analysis by three-dimensional computerized quantification.
OBJECTIVE
To differentiate among atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC), and adenocarcinoma showing ground-glass opacity (GGO) on CT scans, we conducted a study to determine the optimal parameter on CT number analysis using three-dimensional (3D) computerized quantification.


METHODS
From the CT numbers of GGO lesions obtained by 3D computerized quantification, CT number histogram pattern, peak CT number on the histogram, mean CT number, and the 5th to 95th percentile CT numbers were analyzed to determine the optimal parameter for differentiation among AAH (n = 10), BAC (n = 21), and adenocarcinoma (n = 12).


RESULTS
While the CT number histogram showed one peak in all 10 of the AAH lesions (100%), it showed two peaks in 8 of 21 BAC lesions (38%), and in 5 of 12 adenocarcinoma lesions (42%). For differentiation between AAH and BAC, the 75th percentile CT number with a cutoff value of -584 Hounsfield units (HU) was optimal, with a sensitivity of 0.90 and a specificity of 0.81. For differentiation between BAC and adenocarcinoma, a mean CT number with a cutoff value of -472 HU was optimal, with a sensitivity of 0.75 and a specificity of 0.81.


CONCLUSIONS
From the analysis of CT numbers of GGO lesions obtained by 3D computerized quantification, we conclude the following: (1) two peaks on the CT number histogram can rule out AAH; (2) the 75th percentile is the optimal CT number for differentiating between AAH and BAC; and (3) the mean CT number is the optimal CT number for differentiating between BAC and adenocarcinoma.
Ikeda
Koei
K
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan.
Awai
Kazuo
K
Mori
Takeshi
T
Kawanaka
Koichi
K
Yamashita
Yasuyuki
Y
Nomori
Hiroaki
H
D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed