Eleni Testempassi MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Vasiliki Vantali MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Georgia Katsou MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christos Peppas MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dimitrios Baltas MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dimitrios Chondros MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dimitrios Exarchos MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To compare the size of primary and metastatic pulmonary nodules during deep inspiration and expiration on CT images.

Seventy two primary and metastatic lung nodules in 41 patients were included in our study. Twenty-nine patients were examined with a single slice CT scanner with the following scan parameters: 5/5/5(slice thickness/table feed/reconstruction interval). Twelve patients were examined with a 16-row multi-detector CT scanner with the following scan parameters. Rotation time 0.5 sec, slice collimation 0.5mmx16, helical pitch 0.25:1. Scans were performed once in deep inspiration and once in expiration. Measurements of the great and short axis of the nodules were made as well as volumetric measurements were made in those nodules which were studied with the multislice scanner.

We evaluated pulmonary nodules free standing in the lung parenchyma and not adjacent to the pleura. The size of the nodules ranged from 5 mm to 52 mm in inspiration and from 5.4 to 60 mm to expiration. There was a size difference ranged from 13% to 17 % among inspiration and expiration. There was no significant difference in size variability in relation to the histologic type of the tumor.

This study shows that there is a significant difference in the size of lung nodules during inspiration and expiration. The above is of great importance for preoperative evaluation of tumor size and cancer staging. Another point of view is that in correlation of lung nodules for treatment response, measurements should be performed at similar respiratory conditions.

Testempassi, E, Vantali, V, Katsou, G, Peppas, C, Baltas, D, Chondros, D, Exarchos, D, et al, , Comparison of the Size of Lung Nodules on CT Images during Inspiration and Expiration.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4411920.html