Evaluation Of The Relationship Between Solitary Pulmonary Nodules And Vessels Using Dual-source CT

Objective:To investigate the relationship between solitary pulmonary nodules(SPN) and vesseles and its value for differential diagnosis of malignant and benign nodules.Methods: There were 56 patients, including 29 males and 27 females.The chestes were scaned without and with contrast by dual-source CT using helical scanning mode.The data were reconstructed by Siemens console computer and mmwp4661 workstation to show the relationship between solitary pulmonary nodules(SPN) and vesseles.Then classified the vesseles and tracked their sources.Finally the diameter of vesseles and volume of SPN were measured.Results: There were 37 malignant and 19 benign pulmonary nodules in 56 cases.(1) Diameters of malignant and benign SPN were not obviously difference(t=0.3299,P>0.05).(2) Image quality of SPN located in middle and outside lung field were better than those in inner side of lung field(P=0.011, P=0.003).(3)The SPN were classified into four types by the number of vessels around SPN.Typeâ… -There is no vessel connected with SPN. Typeâ…¡-there is one vessel connected with SPN. Typeâ…¢- there are two vessels connected with SPN. Typeâ…£- there are more than two vessels connected with SPN. Benign SPN were more common in typeâ… (P=0.000<0.05). Malignant SPN were more common in typeâ…¢(P=0.009) and typeâ…£(P=0.009).Benign and malignant SPN were evenly distributed in typeâ…¡(P=0.171>0.05).(4) The SPN were classified into five types by the shape of vessels around SPN. Typeâ… - the vessel ended at the boundary of SPN and thickened. Typeâ…¡- the vessel ended at the boundary of SPN and without thickening. Typeâ…¢- the vessel entered into the pit of SPN. Typeâ…£- the vessel enter into and pass through SPN. Malignant SPN were more common in typeâ… (P=0.009<0.05)and typeâ…¢(P=0.022<0.05). Benign and malignant SPN were evenly distributed in typeâ…¡(P=0.163>0.05) and typeâ…£(P=1.000>0.05). Benign SPNs were more common in typeâ…¤(P=0.001<0.05).(5)About the kind of vesseles: Benign SPNs were more common in SPN wothout connecting vessels(P=0.000). Malignant SPNs were more common in SPN with vein connection(P=0.009). Benign and malignant SPN were evenly in SPN with vein and artery (P=0.381) and only artery connection SPN(P=0.79).(6)The mean value of total diameter of vesssls between benign and malignant SPNs were different in statistics(t=2.3940,0.01