Lung-Reporting and Data System 2.0: Impact of the Updated Approach to Juxtapleural Nodules During Lung Cancer Screening Using the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial Data Set

Purpose: To determine the frequency of malignancy of nonperifissural juxtapleural nodules (JPNs) measuring 6 to < 10 mm in a subset of low-dose chest computed tomographies from the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial and the rate of down-classification of such nodules in Lung-Reporting and Data System (RADS) 2.0 compared with Lung-RADS 1.1.

Materials and methods: A secondary analysis of a subset of the National Lung Screening Trial was performed. An exemption was granted by the Institutional Review Board. The dominant noncalcified nodule measuring 6 to <10 mm was identified on all available prevalence computed tomographies. Nodules were categorized as pleural or nonpleural. Benign or malignant morphology was recorded. Initial and updated categories based on Lung-RADS 1.1 and Lung-RADS 2.0 were assigned, respectively. The impact of the down-classification of JPN was assessed. Both classification schemes were compared using the McNemar test ( P < 0.01).

Results: A total of 2813 patients (62 ± 5 y, 1717 men) with 4408 noncalcified nodules were studied. One thousand seventy-three dominant nodules measuring 6 to <10 mm were identified. Three hundred forty-eight (32.4%) were JPN. The updated scheme allowed down-classification of 310 JPN from categories 3 (n = 198) and 4A (n = 112) to category 2. We, therefore, estimate a 4.8% rate of down-classification to category 2 in the entire National Lung Screening Trial screening group. Two/348 (0.57%) JPN were malignant, both nonbenign in morphology. The false-positive rate decreased in the updated classification ( P < 0.01).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the low malignant potential of benign morphology JPN measuring 6 mm to <10 mm. The Lung-RADS 2.0 approach to JPN is estimated to reduce short-term follow-ups and false-positive results.