Abstract
Purpose
To identify characteristic computed tomographic (CT) and computer-derived features
of hamartomas manifesting as small pulmonary nodules.
Methods
Individuals with a diagnosis of hamartoma were identified among participants in the
International Early Lung Cancer Action Program and were included if there thin section
CT images that included the entire nodule. The CT findings were reviewed to determine
the nodule consistency (solid, part-solid, nonsolid), nodule diameter (average of
length and width), shape (round, lobulated, neither) and edge (smooth, not smooth).
Computer measures of nodule compactness, sphericity, surface regularity and gradient
(change in gray-scale between the nodule and the surrounding parenchyma) were determined.
Volume doubling time (VDT) was also determined for those with at least two scans with
similar imaging acquisitions.
Results
A total of 21 cases of hamartomas that had histologic or cytologic confirmation were
identified. The median age was 60 and 12 (57%) were men. Average diameter was 10.7
mm (5–20.7 mm). All were solid in consistency and were described by the radiologist
as having either round or lobulated shape with a smooth edge. None had pathognomonic
radiologic findings for hamartoma. Computer measures demonstrated that all were compact
and spherical, with a regular surface and a sharp margin between the nodule and surrounding
parenchyma. Of nine on whom the VDT could be calculated, eight had VDTs longer than
450 days.
Conclusion
Both radiologist and computer derived features of small hamartomas suggest a consistent
presentation for these lesions which may be helpful in distinguishing them from other
types of nodules.
Keywords
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to Clinical ImagingAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- Multiple pulmonary chondromatous hamartomas.Hum Pathol. 1982; 13: 496-497
- Pulmonary hamartoma: CT findings.Radiology. 1986; 160: 313-317
- Hamartomas of the lung.Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2003; 15: 301-304
- I-ELCAP protocol.
- Screening for lung cancer: the early lung cancer action approach.Lung Cancer. 2002; 35: 143-148
- On measuring the change in size of pulmonary nodules.IEEE Trans Med Imaging. 2006; 25: 435-450
Kostis W. Three-dimensional computed tomographic image analysis for early cancer diagnosis in small pulmonary nodules. PhD thesis. Cornell University, January 2001.
- Characterization of solid pulmonary nodules using three-dimensional features.SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging. 2007; 65143E: 6514
- Small pulmonary nodules: reproducibility of three-dimensional volumetric measurement and estimation of time to follow-up CT.Radiology. 2004; 231: 446-452
- Small pulmonary nodules: volumetrically determined growth rates based on CT evaluation.Radiology. 2000; 217: 251-256
- Imaging of lung hamartomas by multidetector computed tomography and positron emission tomography.Ann Thorac Surg. 2008; 86: 1769-1772
- Incidence and cytological features of pulmonary hamartomas indeterminate on CT scan.Cytopathology. 2008; 19: 185-191
Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 25, 2010
Accepted:
February 25,
2010
Received:
January 10,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc.
