Clinical analysis of 19 consecutive cases of pulmonary mixed ground-glass opacity nodules

Objective To investigate the proportion and diagnostic techniques of pulmonary mixed groundglass opacity( mGGO),and the relationship between the disease and computed tomography( CT) characteristics. Methods Single mGGO were found in 22 consecutive patients which underwent multi-detector CT. Nineteen( 86. 4%) consecutive cases of mGGO nodules that were histologically confirmed were included in this prospective trial. All cases of pulmonary mGGO nodules were divided into two groups: malignant nodules group and benign nodules group. The clinical and radiological characteristics( including the lesions' size,edge characteristics,internal characteristics,etc) of all patients were recorded. These parameters were statistically compared between the two groups. Results There were 4 benign and 15 malignant mGGOs. No statistical differences were found between benign and malignant mGGOs in terms of demographic data,lesions' size,internal characteristics and external manifestations. The frequency of lobulation( 86. 7%),well-defined interface( 86. 7%) and vascular convergence( 80. 0%) was significantly higher in malignant mGGOs than that in benign mGGOs. The percentage of GGO component ≤50% was higher in malignant mGGOs. The diagnostic of 11 cases were confirmed through percutaneous core needle lung biopsy under multi-CT fluoroscopic guidance. Conclusion The CT characteristics of pulmonary mGGO nodules have certain significance in the differential diagnosis of lesions properties of pulmonary mGGO nodules. CT fluoroscopy-guided needle aspiration biopsy is a useful diagnostic technique for mGGO nodules.