Correlation between expression of Ki-67 and MSCT signs in different types of lung adenocarcinoma

To investigate the correlation between the proliferating cell nuclear antigen Ki-67 and the multislice computed tomography (MSCT) signs in different subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma. Ninety-five patients with lung adenocarcinoma confirmed by surgical pathology and treated between January 2017 and December 2017 were included. MSCT was performed before the operation, and the characteristics of the high-resolution CT (HRCT) signs of the lesions were compared with the Ki-67 immunohistochemistry results. The levels of Ki-67 in the 95 lung adenocarcinoma specimens were positively correlated with the malignancy of lung adenocarcinoma. Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.615. The expression of Ki-67 was positively correlated with the nodules’ diameter, density, and lobulated sign, with Spearman correlation coefficients of 0.58, 0.554, and 0.436. There was no significant correlation with spiculation and pleural retraction, with correlation coefficients of 0.319/0.381. These findings suggest that the MSCT signs of different types of lung adenocarcinoma might be associated with the expression of Ki-67. Without replacing biopsy, the imaging features of pulmonary nodules could be comprehensively analyzed to evaluate the proliferation potential of preoperative nodules, but additional studies are needed for confirmation.