Comparison of Lung-RADS Version 2022 and British Thoracic Society Guidelines in Classifying Solid Pulmonary Nodules Detected at Lung Cancer Screening CT.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Lung cancer screening is critical for early detection and management, particularly through the use of computed tomography (CT). This study aims to compare the Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS) Version 2022 with the British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines in classifying solid pulmonary nodules detected at lung cancer screening CT examinations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 224 patients who underwent lung cancer screening CT between 2016 and 2022 and had a reported solid pulmonary nodule. A fellowship-trained thoracic radiologist reviewed the CT images, characterizing nodules by size, location, margins, attenuation, calcification, growth at follow-up, and final pathologic diagnosis if malignant. The sensitivity and specificity of Lung-RADS Version 2022 in detecting malignant nodules were compared with those of the BTS guidelines using the McNemar test.

RESULTS

Of the 224 patients, 198 (88%) had nodules deemed benign, while 26 (12%) had malignant nodules. The Lung-RADS Version 2022 resulted in higher specificity than the BTS guidelines (85% vs. 65%, < 0.001), without sacrificing sensitivity (92% for both). Nodules larger than 8 mm, spiculated margins, upper lobe location, and interval growth were associated with higher malignancy risk ( < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the BTS guidelines, Lung-RADS Version 2022 reduces the number of false-positive screening CT examinations while maintaining high sensitivity for detecting malignant solid pulmonary nodules.