Role of Multidetector Computed Tomography in Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Cavitary Lung Lesions With a Histopathological Correlation: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Cavitary lung disease has a wide range of differential diagnoses, which include both benign and malignant lesions. Imaging differentiation of benign from malignant cavitary lesions has always been a challenge due to overlapping imaging findings. The present study describes the most accurate multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings that could help in differentiating benign from malignant conditions in correlation with the histopathological reports. Methods This retrospective study was carried out on diagnosed cases of cavitary lung lesions on MDCT from January 2022 to February 2023. We evaluated the number of cavitary lung lesions, their location with respect to lung segment/lobe, the maximum diameter of the largest lesion, the maximum wall thickness of the largest cavity, and additional findings associated with these lesions. Measurements of the maximum wall thickness were plotted on a graph. Statistical analysis was done, and a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was calculated to find the accurate cut-off wall thickness for malignant and non-malignant lesions. These findings were then correlated with the histopathological report. Results A review of the MDCT scans of 47 patients was done; 30 (63.8%) of those were male with a mean age of 47.93±14.68 (SD) years while 17 (36.2%) were female with a mean age of 52.53 ±18.38 (SD) years. Out of 47 patients, 27 (57.4%) had benign lesions and 20 (42.5%) had malignant lesions. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between benign and malignant lesions while comparing the averages of maximum wall thickness (8.1 mm and 14.5 mm, respectively) and the irregular inner margin of the largest cavitary lesions. The presence of consolidation and centrilobular nodules correlated significantly (p<0.05) with the benign nature of cavitary lung lesions. The maximum cut-off wall thickness was <6 mm and >17 mm for the differentiation of benign from malignant lung lesions, respectively. Conclusions The maximum wall thickness and irregular inner margin of cavitary lung lesions was a good indicator for the differentiation of benign and malignant etiologies on MDCT while consolidation and centrilobular nodules favoured the benign etiology more.