Multi-slice CT features and pathological correlation of peripheral lung cancer associated with thin-walled airspace / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate multi-slice CT (MSCT) features and pathological basis of lung cancer containing thin-walled airspace. Methods Thirty?five cases of pathologically confirmed lung cancer containing thin-walled airspace were retrospectively analysed with regard to clinical data, pathological types and MSCT features between 2012 and 2015.There were 35 cases(25 adenocarcinoma, 9 squamous carcinoma, 1 spindle cell tumor) in total. MSCT features were compared between the lesions with or without solid component .Fisher exact test was used for the statistical analysis. For dynamic follow-up CT scans, the lesion dynamic change was evaluated .Correlations between the pathological section and CT images of the 11 cases were analysed. Results These features accounted for more than 60% of all MSCT signs in 35 cases, including round shape in 28 cases(80.0%),lobulation in 32 cases(91.4%),multiple cysts in 27 cases(77.1%), irregular inner wall in 33 cases(94.3%)and septum in airspace in 31 cases(88.6%). Shape, spiculation, bronchus cut-off, blood vessel and bronchus passing through the airspace, and ground-glass opacity were significantly different between the lesions with or without solid component(P<0.05).The frequency of spiculation(11 cases) and bronchus cut-off(12 cases) in mixed solid lesions was higher than that in lesions without solid component(1 case, respectively).The frequency of irregular shape(6 cases),blood vessel passing through the airspace(12 cases),ground-glass opacity(13 cases)and bronchus passing through the airspace(7 cases) in lesions without solid were higher than that in solid mixed lesions(1, 1, 5, 3 cases respectively).The pathological basis of the formation of thin-walled airspace was obvious central necrosis in solid lesions and emphysematous change due to the tumor cells diffused along the inner airspace wall and the alveolar wall destruction.Five lesions were with progressive wall thickening and increased size of the airspace,and two lesions were with decreased size of the airspace and enlarged nodules in followed CT.One case of lung cancer with thin-walled airspace evolved from ground glass nodule. Conclusions The CT manifestation of lung cancer containing thin-walled airspace was characteristic.The pathological basis of the thin-walled airspace was various.