Effect of lung volume and gravity on the attenuation and size of a pure ground-glass nodule

J Thorac Imaging. 2012 Jan;27(1):W15-7. doi: 10.1097/RTI.0b013e31820c7929.

Abstract

Detecting potentially malignant changes in a pure ground-glass nodule (GGN) is challenging. The development of a solid component is a known sign, which may help in differentiating benign from malignant GGN. We report the case of a 58-year-old man presenting with a pure GGN in the posterior segment of the right lower lobe. Follow-up computed tomographic scan after 1 year showed marked increase in attenuation (from -319 HU to +27 HU), whereas the average size of the nodule decreased (from 7 to 4.7 mm). On a computed tomographic scan in the prone position the nodule seemed larger (7.8 mm) and appeared as a pure GGN (-406 HU). Such changes were attributed to the reduction of lung volume and gravity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Gravitation
  • Humans
  • Lung Volume Measurements
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / diagnostic imaging*
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / pathology
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / surgery
  • Supine Position
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*