Peripheral vessel and air bronchograms for detecting the pathologic patterns of subsolid nodules.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Radiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Subsolid nodules (SSNs) are common findings on computed tomography (CT) scans.
• Differentiating benign from malignant SSNs is crucial for patient management.
• Imaging features, including vascular and bronchial relationships, may offer diagnostic clues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between SSNs and surrounding peripheral vessels and aerated bronchi using CT.
• To correlate these imaging characteristics with histopathological diagnoses of SSNs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 83 patients with solitary SSNs.
• Classification of SSN relationships with peripheral vessels (types I-IV) and aerated bronchi (types I-V).
• Correlation of imaging findings with surgical specimen pathology.

Main Results:

• SSN size, vessel type, and bronchus type varied significantly across pathological diagnoses (P < 0.05).
• Benign SSNs predominantly showed peripheral vessel type II and aerated bronchus type V.
• Malignant SSNs (adenocarcinomas) were associated with peripheral vessel types III/IV and aerated bronchus types I/II.

Conclusions:

• Pathological types of SSNs are distinguishable by their relationships with peripheral vessels and aerated bronchi.
• Specific patterns (e.g., type I vessel, type V bronchus) suggest benignity.
• Other patterns (e.g., type III/IV vessel, type I/II bronchus) are indicative of malignancy.