Quantitative MDCT analysis of pulmonary solid nodules using three parameters

Purpose The purpose of this prospective study was to perform quantitative multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) analysis of pulmonary solid nodules using three parameters (long-short ratio, compactness, and intranodular CT number) and to evaluate the usefulness of each parameter in the differentiation of the nodules. Materials and methods Seventy solitary pulmonary nodules with a long axis length of 5–30 mm were examined using one multidetector CT (MDCT) system and one three-dimensional (3D) system, and the findings regarding the three parameters were statistically analyzed among five diseases (hamartoma, organizing pneumonia, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and metastasis). Results The long-short ratio of the pulmonary nodule showed no significant differences among five diseases. The compactness showed significant differences ( P < 0.05) in five pairs of diseases. Intranodular CT number showed significant differences ( P < 0.05) in three pairs of diseases. Conclusion Our results are insufficient for the complete differentiation of pulmonary solid nodules. However, among the three parameters, compactness and intranodular CT number contribute somewhat to the differentiation of pulmonary nodules.