title: Subsolid pulmonary nodules:  imaging evaluation and strategic management.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Given the higher rate of malignancy of subsolid pulmonary nodules and the considerably lower growth rate of ground-glass nodules (GGNs), dedicated standardized guidelines for management of these nodules have been proposed, including long-term low-dose computed tomography (CT) follow-up (≥3 years). Physicians must be familiar with the strategic management of subsolid pulmonary nodules, and should be able to identify imaging features that suggest invasive adenocarcinoma requiring a more aggressive management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low-dose CT screening studies for early detection of lung cancer have increased our knowledge of pulmonary nodules, and in particular our understanding of the strong although imperfect correlation of the subsolid pulmonary nodules, including pure GGNs and part-solid nodules, with the spectrum of preinvasive to invasive lung adenocarcinoma. Serial CT imaging has shown stepwise progression in a subset of these nodules, characterized by increase in size and density of pure GGNs and development of a solid component, the latter usually indicating invasive adenocarcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is close correlation between the CT features of subsolid nodules (SSNs) and the spectrum of lung adenocarcinoma. Standardized guidelines are suggested for management of SSNs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA. mgodoy@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Myrna C B
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Godoy
authors.forename: Bradley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sabloff
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Naidich
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000077192:Adenocarcinoma of Lung; D024221:Antineoplastic Protocols; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055613:Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*