Lung cancer screening with low-dose spiral CT in a unit staff: Results of the baseline screening

Abstract

To analyze the incidence and imaging characteristics of pulmonary nodules in a unit staff. Methods: Low-dose spiral CT (LDCT) scan were performed in 1 372 staffs ≥45 years old in a certain unit during the physical examination. The clinical and imaging data were collected to analyze the detection rate, imaging characteristics, and postoperative pathological conditions of pulmonary nodules. Results: The total detection rate for pulmonary nodules was 30.39% (417/1 372). The detected nodules were mainly single (227 cases), solid (343 cases), <5 mm in diameter (261 cases), and Lung-Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS) category 2 nodules (340 cases). The single nodules were mostly found in the right upper lung (74 cases, 32.60%). The detection rate of pulmonary nodules tended to decrease but the detection rate of category 4 nodules increased with the increasing age (P<0.05), while the gender had no significant influence on the detection rate (P>0.05). Compared with the Lung-RADS category 3 nodules, the proportions of nodules in subsolid state, with irregular shape, lobulation sign, and vascular penetration in the Lung-RADS category 4 were increased (all P<0.05). Among them, 11 patients received surgical therapy, including 10 women. Postoperative pathology confirmed lung adenocarcinoma in 9 patients (2.16%), including 8 women, all non-smokers. Conclusion: The nodules in subsolid state with vascular penetration, irregular shape and lobulation sign tend to be malignant. Lung cancer screening with low-dose spiral CT in female non-smokers should be emphasized.