CT features of small peripheral pulmonary cancer

Objective:To present CT findings of small peripheral lung cancer.Methods:Seventeen patients with small(≤1.5cm)peripheral lung nodules were included in this retrospective study.All patients underwent CT scans and surgery.Lung cancer were confirmed by histopathology in all cases.Results:On qualitative analysis of the 17 nodules,the characteristic CT findings showed lobulation in 11 cases,vacuole sign in 7 cases,air brochogram in 4 cases,vessel convergence in 8 cases,spiculation in 9 cases,pleural tag in 9 cases,pure or part solid ground opacity in 7 cases.On quantitative analysis,there was no notable changes in size and shape of these nodules in follow-up CT examination after 40 days.Conclusion:With the presence of two or more above-mentioned CT signs within one nodule,ground glass opacity and no remarkable resolution of the nodule after 40 days observation,a small lung cancer should be strongly suspected.