Study the value of lung low dose computed tomography in early detection the malignant pulmonary nodule

Background: Early diagnosis of the malignant pulmonary nodules plays an important role in decreasing the mortality, increasing the lifetime and considering as early detection of lung cancer. Objectives: To describe the characteristics and diagnostic value of the malignant suspected signs of pulmonary nodule. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study on 33 patients with localized pulmonary nodule which has indications of biopsy or surgery at Hospital of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy from 05/2017 to 08/2018. Results: A majority of pulmonary nodules were found in the right upper lobe with 42.4%; solitary pulmonary nodules made up the majority of 75.8%. (Nodules > 21.5 mm: 57.6%; nodules ≤ 21.5 mm: 42.4%; solid nodules: 97% and mixed nodules: 3%, round shape: 42.4% and polygons: 57.6%; irregular margin: 78.8%; regular margin: 21.2%; eccentric and stippled calcification: 18.2%; non-calcification: 81.8%; air-bronchogram in nodules: 39.4%; air-bronchogram (-): 60.6%; fat containing pulmonary nodules: 6.1%, malignant and benign confirmed by biopsy: 39.3% and 60.7% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of features included size > 21.5 mm; air-bronchogram in nodules, polygons for malignant nodules diagnosis are 81.6%; 92.3%; 76.9% and 60%, 65%, 85% respectively. Conclusions: Three features of nodules: Size ≥ 21.5 mm; air-bronchogram and polygons are suggestive malignant characteristics. The combination of two or more characteristics have the sensitive 92.3% and specific 80% Keywords: pulmonary nodule, thoracic computed tomography, lung cancer.