CT features and quantitative analysis of subsolid nodule lung adenocarcinoma for pathological classification prediction

BACKGROUND: The value of the CT features and quantitative analysis of lung subsolid nodules (SSNs) in the prediction of the pathological grading of lung adenocarcinoma is discussed. METHODS: Clinical data and CT images of 207 cases (216 lesions) with CT manifestations of an SSNs lung adenocarcinoma confirmed by surgery pathology were retrospectively analysed. The pathological results were divided into three groups, including atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH)/adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC). Then, the quantitative and qualitative data of these nodules were compared and analysed. RESULTS: The mean size, maximum diameter, mean CT value and maximum CT value of the nodules were significantly different among the three groups of AAH/AIS, MIA and IAC and were different between the paired groups (AAH/AIS and MIA or MIA and IAC) (P < 0.05). The critical values of the above indicators between AAH/AIS and MIA were 10.05 mm, 11.16 mm, − 548.00 HU and − 419.74 HU. The critical values of the above indicators between MIA and IAC were 14.42 mm, 16.48 mm, − 364.59 HU and − 16.98 HU. The binary logistic regression analysis of the features with the statistical significance showed that the regression model between AAH/AIS and MIA is logit(p) = − 0.93 + 0.216X(1) + 0.004X(4). The regression model between MIA and IAC is logit(p) = − 1.242–1.428X(5)(1) − 1.458X(6)(1) + 1.146X(7)(1) + 0.272X(2) + 0.005X(3). The areas under the curve (AUC) obtained by plotting the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) using the regression probabilities of regression models I and II were 0.815 and 0.931. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative prediction of pathological classification of CT image features has important guiding value for clinical management. Correct diagnosis results can effectively improve the patient survival rate. Through comprehensive analysis of the CT features and qualitative data of SSNs, the diagnostic accuracy of SSNs can be effectively improved. The logistic regression model established in this study can better predict the pathological classification of SSNs lung adenocarcinoma on CT, and the predictive value is significantly higher than the independent use of each quantitative factor.