[Correlation between the quantifiable parameters of blood flow pattern derived with dynamic CT in maliagnant solitary pulmonary nodules and tumor size.].

BACKGROUND

The solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs ) is one of the most common findings on chest radiographs. It becomes possible to provide more accurately quantitative information about blood flow patterns of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs ) with multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between the quantifiable parameters of blood flow pattern derived with dynamic CT in maliagnant solitary pulmonary nodules and tumor size.

METHODS

68 patients with maliagnant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs ) (diameter <=4 cm)underwent multi-location dynamic contrast material-enhanced (nonionic contrast material was administrated via the antecubital vein at a rate of 4mL/s by an autoinjector, 45mm or 42.5mm scanning mode with stable table were performed.) serial CT. Precontrast and postcontrast attenuation on every scan was recorded. Perfusion (PSPN), peak height (PHSPN), ratio of peak height of the SPN to that of the aorta (SPN-to-A ratio)and mean transit time(MTT) were calculated. The correlation between the quantifiable parameters of blood flow pattern derived with dynamic CT in maliagnant solitary pulmonary nodules and tumor size were assessed by means of linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

No significant correlations were found between the tumor size and each of the peak height (PHSPN), ratio of peak height of the SPN to that of the aorta (SPN-to-A ratio), perfusion (PSPN)and mean transit time(r=0.18,P=0.14; r=0.20,P=0.09; r=0.01, P=0.95; r=0.01, P=0.93).

CONCLUSIONS

No significant correlation is found between the tumor size and each of the quantifiable parameters of blood flow pattern derived with dynamic CT in maliagnant solitary pulmonary nodules.