Primary pulmonary meningioma presenting as a pulmonary ground glass nodule: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: A primary pulmonary meningioma is an extremely rare entity. Primary pulmonary meningiomas manifested with a ground glass nodule are a very rare occurrence in clinical practice. CASE PRESENTATION: In this study, we report a case of a primary pulmonary meningioma with atypical computed tomography features. A 59-year-old Han Chinese female came to our hospital for treatment and reported that her physical examination revealed a ground glass nodule in the right lung for over 3 months. The histologic result revealed a primary pulmonary meningioma. The patient underwent a thoracoscopic lung wedge resection of the right upper lobe for a ground glass nodule. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient is still alive without evidence of metastasis or recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Primary pulmonary meningiomas could have a variety of radiological findings. As there are no specific radiologic features for the diagnosis of primary pulmonary meningiomas, complete resection of the lesion is required for both diagnosis and treatment. It is necessary to note the imaging features of primary pulmonary meningiomas, presenting as a ground glass nodule; this rare tumor should be considered in differential diagnoses.

[A Growth Prediction Model of Pulmonary Ground-Glass Nodules Based on Clinical Visualization Parameters].

Objective To establish a model for predicting the growth of pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGN) based on the clinical visualization parameters extracted by the 3D reconstruction technique and to verify the prediction performance of the model. Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out for 354 cases of pulmonary GGN followed up regularly in the outpatient of pulmonary nodules in Zhoushan Hospital of Zhejiang Province from March 2015 to December 2022.The semi-automatic segmentation method of 3D Slicer was employed to extract the quantitative imaging features of nodules.According to the follow-up results,the nodules were classified into a resting group and a growing group.Furthermore,the nodules were classified into a training set and a test set by the simple random method at a ratio of 7∶3.Clinical and imaging parameters were used to establish a prediction model,and the prediction performance of the model was tested on the validation set. Results A total of 119 males and 235 females were included,with a median age of 55.0 (47.0,63.0) years and the mean follow-up of (48.4±16.3) months.There were 247 cases in the training set and 107 cases in the test set.The binary Logistic regression analysis showed that age (95%CI=1.010-1.092,P=0.015) and mass (95%CI=1.002-1.067,P=0.035) were independent predictors of nodular growth.The mass (M) of nodules was calculated according to the formula M=V×(CTmean+1000)×0.001 (where V is the volume,V=3/4πR3,R:radius).Therefore,the logit prediction model was established as ln[P/(1-P)]=-1.300+0.043×age+0.257×two-dimensional diameter+0.007×CTmean.The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test was performed to test the fitting degree of the model for the measured data in the validation set (χ2=4.515,P=0.808).The check plot was established for the prediction model,which showed the area under receiver-operating characteristic curve being 0.702. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that patient age and nodule mass are independent risk factors for promoting the growth of pulmonary GGN.A model for predicting the growth possibility of GGN is established and evaluated,which provides a basis for the formulation of GGN management strategies.

Pulmonary Recruitment Prior to Intraoperative Multiple Pulmonary Ground-Glass Nodule Localization Increases the Localization Accuracy-A Retrospective Study.

The standard treatment for early-stage lung cancer is complete tumor excision by limited resection of the lung. Preoperative localization is used before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to improve the accuracy of pulmonary nodule excision. However, lung atelectasis and hypoxia resulting from controlling apnea during the localization procedure may affect the localization accuracy. Pre-procedural pulmonary recruitment may improve the respiratory mechanics and oxygenation during localization. In this study, we investigated the potential benefits of pre-localization pulmonary recruitment prior to pulmonary ground-glass nodule localization in a hybrid operating room. We hypothesized that pre-localization pulmonary recruitment would increase the localization accuracy, improve oxygenation, and prevent the need for re-inflation during the localization procedure. We retrospectively enrolled patients with multiple pulmonary nodule localizations before surgical intervention in our hybrid operating room. We compared the localization accuracy between patients who had undergone pre-procedure pulmonary recruitment and patients who had not. Saturation, re-inflation rate, apnea time, procedure-related pneumothorax, and procedure time were also recorded as secondary outcomes. The patients who had undergone pre-procedure recruitment had better saturation, shorter procedure time, and higher localization accuracy. The pre-procedure pulmonary recruitment maneuver was effective in increasing regional lung ventilation, leading to improved oxygenation and localization accuracy.

Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Pulmonary Ground-Glass Nodules Using Computed Tomography Radiomics Parameters.

Objective: To assess the clinical value of a radiomics model based on low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in diagnosing benign and malignant pulmonary ground-glass nodules. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 274 patients who underwent LDCT scanning with the identification of pulmonary ground-glass nodules from January 2018 to March 2021. All patients had complete clinical and pathological data. The cases were randomly divided into 191 cases in a training set and 83 cases in a validation set using the random sampling method and a 7:3 ratio. Based on the predictor sources, we established clinical, radiomics, and combined prediction models in the training set. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated for the training and validation sets, the predictive abilities of the different models for benign and malignant nodules were compared according to the area under the curve (AUC), and the model with the best predictive ability was selected. A calibration curve was plotted to test the good-of-fitness of the model in the validation set. Results: Of the 274 patients (84 males and 190 females), 156 had malignant, and 118 had benign nodules. The univariate analysis showed a statistically significant difference in nodule position between benign nodules and lung adenocarcinoma in both data sets (P <.001 and .021). In the training set, when the nodule diameter was >8 mm, the probability of nodule malignancy increased (P < .001). The results showed that the combined model had a higher prediction ability than the other two models. The combined model could distinguish between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules in the training set (AUC: 0.711; 95%CI: 0.634-0.787; ACC: 0.696; sensitivity: 0.617; specificity: 0.816; PPV:0.835; NPV: 0.585). Moreover, this model could predict benign and malignant nodules in the validation set (AUC: 0.695; 95%CI: 0.574-0.816; ACC: 9.747; sensitivity: 0.694; specificity: 0.824; PPV: 0.850; NPV: 0.651). The calibration curve had a P value of 0.775, indicating that in the validation set, there was no difference between the value predicted by the combined model and the actual observed value and that the result was a good fit. Conclusion: The prediction model combining clinical information and radiomics parameters had a good ability to distinguish benign and malignant pulmonary ground-glass nodules.

Factors Associated with Pulmonary Function Changes in Patients Undergoing Microwave Ablation for Pulmonary Ground-Glass Nodules.

Purpose: Microwave ablation has become an alternative treatment for pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGN) and is widely accepted by clinicians. However, its effect on lung function remains unknown. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to explore pulmonary function changes and associated risk factors in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT)-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for treating pulmonary GGN. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with pulmonary GGN on thin-layer chest CT and enhanced CT were examined. Patients unable or unwilling to undergo thoracoscopic surgery underwent CT-guided simultaneous percutaneous core needle biopsy and MWA. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were performed before ablation and 3 days and 6 months post-ablation. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1%, forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values pre- and post-MWA were analysed. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the correlation between ablation volume and changes in PFT findings 3 days post-ablation. Associations between patient characteristics, rates of postoperative complications, and PFT findings were analysed. Results: Forty-eight lesions were completely ablated and examined intraoperatively. There were significant differences in pre- and post-operative PFT findings on day 3 but not at 6 months. The mean ablation volume after 3 days of 11.4 ± 6.3 cm3 was positively correlated with changes in FEV1, MVV, and PEF values. Patients' age (mean, 59.4 ± 13.0 years) positively correlated with changes in PEF values. The rates of change in FVC and MVV values were significantly higher with multiple pulmonary nodules than with isolated pulmonary nodule. PFT findings were similar between patients who experienced or did not experience complications (eg, pneumothorax and pleural effusion). Conclusions: Pulmonary function could be impaired shortly after MWA. PFT findings may correlate with age, ablation volume, and number of ablated lesions. In most patients, pulmonary function returned to the preoperative state after 6 months.

[Management Strategies of Pulmonary Ground Galss Nodule].

Pulmonary ground glass nodule (GGN) is a term of radiological manifestation, which may be malignant or benign. The management for pulmonary GGN remains controversial. Both Fleischner society and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) panel updated the guideline for the management of GGN in 2017. Compared with previous versions, the indication for surgery or biopsy is stricter, and the recommended follow-up interval is prolonged. In clinical practice, the size of GGN component, the size of consolidation component, dynamic change during follow-up and computed tomography (CT) value are the four factors that help surgeons to decide the timing of surgery. There are some misunderstandings for the management of GGN, such as the administration of antibiotics, the use of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), pure GGN adjacent to visceral pleura, and GGN with penetrating vessel. In conclusion, GGN is a kind of slowly growing lesion, which can be followed up safely.
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Application of positron emission tomography-computed tomography in the diagnosis of pulmonary ground-glass nodules.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the value of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in the clinical diagnosis of pulmonary ground-glass nodule. In total, 54 patients with pulmonary GGN that were identified by PET-CT examination were selected and confirmed by pathology and clinical diagnosis in hospital between April 2014 and April 2015. The association between PET-CT findings and pathology, and the value of PET-CT were then evaluated. In the 54 patients, solitary pulmonary GGN with a nodule diameter of between 0.6 and 2.0 cm were detected. Amongst them, the PET-CT examination of 42 patients revealed hyper metabolic nodules, and were all mixed GGN type nodules with a diameter >1 cm. The PET-CT examination of the remaining 12 patients demonstrated no evidence of metabolic abnormalities and the nodules in these patients were pure or mixed GGN with a diameter <1 cm (except 2 cases with a diameter ≥1 cm). Furthermore, the diagnoses for all patients were pathologically confirmed by CT-guided needle biopsy or thoracoscopic surgical resection. Amongst them, there were 41 cases of lung adenocarcinoma, 4 cases of fungal infection, 7 cases of inflammation and 2 cases of adenomatoid hyperplasia. Additionally, PET-CT has a lower detection rate for smaller GGN exhibits no clear advantage for pure GGN, but has a higher detection rate for larger GGN. In conclusion, to a certain extent, PET-CT makes up for the shortcomings of traditional imaging and has some clinical value for the diagnosis of GGN.