Abstract
Introduction: SSNs appear on imaging as part-solid(PSN)or pure ground-glass nodules(pGGN), which can correlate with pre-malignant lung lesions.SSN's represent a special cohort of patients, however, there is little experience in managing these, and, in view of the new CT screening guidelines, their detection is likely to rise.
Aim: Analyse the patient profile & nodule characteristics of incidentally found SSN's reviewed under our Pulmonary Nodule Service from 29.04.2015-28.07.2015.
Materials/Methods: Retrospective review of data patients discussed at Pulmonary Nodule MDT meetings.Clinical data was gathered from EPR(Electronic Patient Records)and radiological data was reviewed via PACS(Picture Archiving and Communication System)to generate a database as suggested by BTS guidelines.
Results: 135 patients with incidental nodule(s) were referred to the service where 325 nodules were reviewed. 17% (23/135)of patients had SSN's and had 28 SSNs in total. Most occurred in the upper lobes(20/28), especially RUL(13/28). Mean age was 67.6+/-21 years. Mean smoking habit was 25 PY. Most patients had PS of 0-1 (91.3%-21/23), were asymptomatic (78.3%-18/23), had no cancer history (78.3%-18/23). pGGN's: 75% (21/28) of SSN's;mean diameter 11.5 mm, 15/21 had regular borders. PSN: 25% (7/28) of SSN's; mean diameter 8.4 mm, 85.7% had regular borders.
Conclusions: Chest CT was the commonest imaging modality that identified SSN's incidentally. SSN patients with smoking histories had smaller nodules than life-long non-smokers which will need to be validated in bigger studies. A dedicated pulmonary nodule service is valuable in assessing incidental SSNs according to published guidelines and risk stratify patients.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
