Management of Ground-Glass Nodules: When and How to Operate?

SIMPLE SUMMARY: An increasing number of lung cancer screening programs have detected the frequent occurrence of small pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGNs). If GGN is an incidental finding, it should be followed according to the guidelines. A multidisciplinary team discussion should be initiated if a new solid component develops or the solid portion grows on follow-up CT. Preoperative attempts to biopsy solid components in part-solid GGNs are often not feasible and not helpful. If malignancy is suspected, a surgical biopsy with the guidance of various localization methods is recommended. Once the GGN is confirmed to be malignant, sub-lobar resection may be reasonable in the majority of cases, and the extent of lung resection should be determined based on the CT finding or intraoperative frozen section examination using special inflation technique. Although rare, the recurrence in the remaining lobe can occur especially in patients with high risk histologic features, which currently cannot accurately diagnosed either pre- or intra-operatively. ABSTRACT: With the increased popularity of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), many patients present with pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGNs), and the appropriate diagnostic and management strategy of those lesions make physicians be on the horn of the clinical dilemma. As there is not enough data available to set universally acceptable guidelines, the management of GGNs may be different. If GGN is an incidental finding through LDCT, the lesion should be followed according to the current guidelines. We recommend a multidisciplinary team discussion to be initiated if a new solid component develops or the solid portion size grows on follow-up CT as the risk of malignancy is high. Attempts to preoperatively biopsy solid components in part-solid GGNs are often not feasible and not helpful in clinical settings. Currently, if malignancy is suspected, a surgical biopsy with the guidance of various localization methods is recommended. If malignancy is confirmed, sub-lobar resection may provide an excellent oncologic outcome.