Table 3.
CT features of nodules in different size
| CT features | Group A (n = 35) |
Group B (n = 60) |
Group C (n = 63) |
Group D (n = 67) |
p-value | Sig. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | ||||||
| Round | 9 (25.7) | 14 (23.3) | 15 (23.8) | 15 (22.4) | 0.986 | – |
| Oval | 16 (45.7) | 41 (68.3) | 42 (66.7) | 48 (71.6) | 0.060 | – |
| Polyonal | 5 (14.3) | 3 (5) | 4 (6.3) | 2 (3.0) | 0.154 | – |
| Irregular | 5 (14.3) | 2 (3.3) | 2 (3.2) | 2 (3.0) | 0.049 | A/BCD |
| Size (mm) | 8.2 ± 1.4 | 12.8 ± 1.3 | 17.7 ± 1.4 | 24.1 ± 2.7 | / | |
| Heterogeneous density | 18 (51.4) | 15 (25) | 8 (12.7) | 3 (4.5) | 0.000 | A/BCD |
| Internal feature | ||||||
| Calcification | 0 (−) | 0 (−) | 1 (1.6) | 1 (1.5) | 0.687 | – |
| Vacuole | 5 (14.3) | 5 (14.3) | 4 (6.4) | 11 (16.4) | 0.242 | – |
| Air bronchogram | 1 (2.9) | 1 (1.7) | 5 (7.9) | 12 (17.9) | 0.005 | A/BCD |
| Cavity | 0 | 1 (1.7) | 7 (11.1) | 4 (6.0) | 0.051 | – |
| Margin | ||||||
| Lobulation | 10 (28.6) | 22 (36.7) | 36 (57.1) | 47 (70.1) | 0.000 | AB/CD |
| Spiculation or spinous protuberance | 7 (20) | 27 (45) | 36 (57.1) | 47 (70.1) | 0.000 | A/BCD |
| Halo sign | 7 (20) | 15 (25) | 11 (17.5) | 12 (17.9) | 0.712 | – |
| Tumor-lung interface | ||||||
| Coarse | 26 (74.3) | 48 (80) | 55 (87.3) | 64 (95.5) | 0.013 | A/D |
| Unclear | 6 (17.1) | 7 (11.7) | 3 (4.8) | 1 (1.5) | 0.016 | A/D |
| Smooth | 3 (8.6) | 5 (14.3) | 5 (7.9) | 2 (3.0) | 0.553 | – |
| Bronchial truncation | 0 (−) | 8 (13.3) | 10 (15.9) | 18 (26.9) | 0.005 | A/BCD |
| Vascular convergence | 6 (17.1) | 32 (53.3) | 43 (68.3) | 50 (74.6) | 0.000 | A/BCD |
| Beam-shaped opacity | 3 (8.6) | 15 (25) | 15 (23.8) | 26 (38.8) | 0.010 | A/BCD |
| Pleural retraction | 3 (8.6) | 22 (36.7) | 28 (44.4) | 34 (50.8) | 0.000 | A/BCD |
| Obstructive pneumonia | 0 (−) | 1 (1.67) | 4 (6.4) | 5 (7.5) | / | / |
The data are expressed as n (%). Heterogeneous density indicates the density of nodules in addition to calcification, vacuole, air bronchogram, and cavity. A/BCD indicates there is significant difference between group A and B but no significant difference among groups of B, C and D. AB/CD indicates there is significant difference between group B and C but no significant difference between group A and B or group C and D. A/D indicates there is significant difference only between group A and D