Multi-detectorspiralCTstudyoftherelationshipsbetweenpulmonaryground-glassnodulesandbloodvesselsEurRadiol(2013)23:3271–3277Abstract•Objective:Toinvestigatetherelationshipsbetweenpulmo-naryground-glassnodules(GGN)andbloodvesselsandtheirdiagnosticvaluesindifferentiatingGGNs.•Conclusion:DifferentGGNshavedifferentrelationshipswithvessels.UnderstandingandrecognisingcharacteristicGGN-vesselrelationshipsmayhelpidentifywhichGGNsaremorelikelytobemalignant.KeyPoints•Multi-detectorCToffersnewinformationaboutground-glassnodules.•Differenttypesofground-glassnoduleshavedifferentrelationshipswithvessels.•Thismayhelpidentifywhichground-glassnodulesarelikelytobemalignant.Introduction•Withtheextensiveacceptanceoflow-dosemulti-detectorspiralCTinlungcancerscreening,thenumberofdetectedGGNsorfocalground-glassopacities(fGGOs)hasdramaticallyincreased.•GGNscanresultfromneoplasms,suchaspulmonaryadenocarcinoma,orbenigndiseases,suchasfocalfibrosis,inflammationoralveolarhaemorrhage.•Inaddition,pre-invasiveabnormalities,includingatypicaladenomatoushyperplasia(AAH)andadenocarcinomainsitu(AIS).•IthasbeenreportedthattheproportionofmalignancyinGGNsishigherthaninsolidpulmonarynodules(SPNs)andthemajorityofmalignantGGNsareadenocarcinoma.•Duetoimagingresemblance,however,itisextremelychallengingtodifferentiatemalignantGGNsfromtheaforementionedbenigncounterparts.•AccuratedifferentialdiagnosisofGGNswillassistphysicianstomaketreatmentdecisionsandimprovetreatmentoutcomesandprognosis.•SeveralinvestigatorshavesuggestedthatanalysisofrelationshipsbetweenSPNsandsurroundingvesselscanhelppredictthelikelihoodofmalignancyinsuchnodules.•TherelationshipbetweenGGNsandbloodvesselsremainsunknown.WhetherthisrelationshipcanbeutilisedtofacilitatethediagnosisofmalignantGGNsisaworthyofinvestigation.MaterialsandmethodsPatients•TheimagingdataofpatientswithpulmonaryGGNsreceivingthin-sectionmulti-detectorCTexaminationatourhospitalinJanuary2011throughNovember2012wereretrospectivelyreviewed.•Alllesionsweresolitarya...
