The Value Of Dynamic Enhanced CT And Three Dimensional Reconstruction Of Vessels In The Diagnosis Of Solitary Pulmonary Nodule

PURPOSE To assess the value of dynamic enhanced CT and three dimensional reconstruction of vessels in the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule( S P N).METHODS :26 patients with solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs, diameter<4.0cm) underwent CT scan. Final diagnosis were confirmed histologically or cytologically by means of surgery or percutaneous needle biopsy. 26 patients(16 men, 10 women; age range: 25-78, mean age: 51 years) with pulmonary nodules ( 1.1-4.0 cm, mean, 2.6cm in diameter) were studied. In 26 patients 19 were malignant ( all were peripheral lung cancer ) , and 7 were benign (inflammatory nodules, n=2; hamartoma, n=1; tuberculosis, n=3). dynamic enhanced CT scans were performed before and after the injection of 100ml iodinated contrast material .The scanning thickness was 5-8mm, pitch was 0.7 mm. The speed of injection was 3.2ml/s by hyperbaric injector. The CT value of single-slice nodules was measured before and after enhancement. The largest number of the CT values in different time after enhancement was regarded as the the largest CT value after enhancement, which minus CT value before enhancement was regarded as the largest increased CT value. The time- density curves were done and three-dimensional reconstruction of vessels was made. The S P Ns were analyzed according to the biggest enhanced CT value, time-density curve and the characteristic of vessels.RESULTS: 1,Among the increased CT values of 19 malignant nodules, 14 were between 20-60Hu, 2 were less than 20Hu, 3 were more than 60Hu; Among the increased CT values of 7 benign nodules, 2 were between 20-60Hu, 2 were less...