A comparative analysis of dual-phase dual-energy CT and FDG-PET/CT for the prediction of histopathological invasiveness of non-small cell lung cancer

•The A/D ratio on DE-CT is correlated with tumor invasiveness of NSCLCs.•For small tumors evaluation, the A/D ratio may be superior to SUVmax.•DE-CT may provide a better alternative for predicting tumor invasiveness. To compare dual-phase dual-energy CT (DE-CT) with FDG-PET/CT for predicting histopathological locoregional invasiveness of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). We selected 63 consecutive patients with NSCLC lesions (37 males, 26 females; age range, 44–85 years; mean age, 69 years) who were evaluated preoperatively by both DE-CT and PET/CT at our institution. Postoperative microscopic invasiveness (lymphatic permeation, vascular invasion, and/or pleural involvement) was reviewed, and we defined locoregionally invasive tumors as those that had at least one positive finding of microscopic invasiveness. DE-CT scanning in the arterial and delayed phases was performed after injection of iodinated contrast media using 140-kVp and 80-kVp tube voltages. Three-dimensional iodine-related attenuation of primary tumors in the arterial and delayed phases was quantified automatically using “syngo Dual Energy Lung Nodules” application software, and the ratio of arterial phase to delayed phase enhancement (A/D ratio) was calculated. The A/D ratio and SUVmax on PET/CT were evaluated with respect to postoperative invasiveness by univariate logistic regression analysis. The A/D ratio was significantly correlated with lymphatic permeation, vascular invasion, and pleural involvement (p=0.011, p=0.021, and p=0.010, respectively). In contrast, the SUVmax was significantly correlated with pleural involvement (p=0.020) but not with lymphatic permeation or vascular invasion (p=0.088 and p=0.100, respectively). In the subgroup of patients with lesion diameters ≤2cm, the A/D ratio was significantly correlated with locoregional invasiveness (p=0.040), while the SUVmax was not (p=0.121). For the prediction of microscopic invasiveness of NSCLCs, the diagnostic performance of dual-phase DE-CT may be comparable to that of FDG-PET/CT.