Correlation exploration among CT imaging, pathology and genotype of pulmonary ground‐glass opacity
Authors: Cai Yong , Chen Tong , Zhang Shiju , Tan Min , Wang Jiying 
Published: June 2023

AbstractTo analyse the clinical features, imaging manifestation, pathological typing and genetic testing results of patients undergoing surgery for ground‐glass opacity (GGO) nodules, and explore the reasonable diagnosis and treatment program for GGO patients as to provide the basis for the establishment of GGO treatment process. This study is an exploratory study. 465 cases with GGO confirmed by HRCT, undergoing surgery and approved by pathologic diagnosis in Shanghai pulmonary hospital were enrolled in this study. All the patients with GGO were cases with single lesion. The relationship between the clinical, imaging, pathological and molecular biological data of single GGO were statistically studied. (1) Among 465 cases, the median age was 58 years and females were 315 (67.7%); there were 397 (85.4%) non‐smoking, and 354 cases (76.1%) had no clinical symptoms. There were 33 cases of benign and 432 cases of malignant GGO. Significant differences were observed on the size, vacuole sign, pleural indentation and blood vessel sign of GGO between two groups (p < 0.05). Of 230 mGGO, there were no AAH, 13 cases of AIS, 25 cases of MIA and 173 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma. The probability of solid nodules in invasive adenocarcinoma was higher than that in micro invasive carcinoma, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). 360 cases were followed up with the average follow‐up time of 6.05 months, and GGO of 34 cases (9.4%) increased. (2) In 428 adenocarcinoma samples approved by pathologic diagnosis, there were 262 (61.2%) lesions of EGFR mutation, 14 (3.3%) lesions of KRAS mutation, 1 (0.2%) lesion of Braf mutation, 9 (2.1%) lesions of EML4‐ALK gene fusion and 2 (0.5%) lesions of ROS1 fusion. The detection rate of gene mutation in mGGO was higher than that of pGGO. During the follow‐up period, genetic testing results of 32 GGO showed that EGFR mutation rate was 53.1%, ALK positive rate of 6.3%, KRAS mutation rate of 3.1% and no ros1 and BRAF gene mutation. No statistically significant difference was observed in comparison with unchanged GGO. (3) EGFR mutation rate of invasive adenocarcinoma was the highest (168/228, 73.7%), mainly in the 19Del and L858R point mutations. No KRAS mutation was found in atypical adenoma hyperplasia. No significant difference was observed on the mutation rate of KRAS between different types of GGO (p = 0.811). EML4‐ALK fusion gene was mainly detected in invasive adenocarcinoma (7/9). GGO tends to occur in young, non‐smoking women. The size of GGO is related to the degree of malignancy. Pleural depression sign, vacuole sign and vascular cluster sign are all characteristic images of malignant GGO. pGGO and mGGO reflect the pathological development of GGO. During the follow‐up, it is found that GGO increases and solid components appear, which is the indication of surgical resection. The detection rate of EGFR mutations in mGGO and invasive adenocarcinoma is high. pGGO has heterogeneity in imaging, pathology and molecular biology. Heterogeneity research helps to formulate correct individualized diagnosis and treatment plans.