Conventional CT and PET/CT imaging in the evaluation and management of subsolid pulmonary nodules: an overview of the literature and author recommendations

Subsolid pulmonary nodules (SSNs) are frequent findings on CT scans, and their reported prevalence ranges between 9 and 20% in the literature. The management of SSNs requires specific knowledge. In this review, we report the standard imaging approach and the potential role of positron emission tomog...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical and translational imaging : reviews in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging 2023-10, Vol.11 (5), p.413-420
Main Authors: Kaplar, Zoltan, Essa, Noora Bin, Balaji, Nikita, Bomanji, Jamshed, Groves, Ashley M., Lilburn, David M. L., Navani, Neal, Fraioli, Francesco
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ablation
Computed tomography
Data acquisition
Diagnostic Radiology
Expert Review
Fluorine isotopes
Histology
Homogeneity
Imaging
Interventional Radiology
Literature reviews
Medical and Radiation Physics
Medical imaging
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Nodules
Nuclear Medicine
Positron emission
Radiation therapy
Radiology
Radiotherapy
Tomography
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Summary:Subsolid pulmonary nodules (SSNs) are frequent findings on CT scans, and their reported prevalence ranges between 9 and 20% in the literature. The management of SSNs requires specific knowledge. In this review, we report the standard imaging approach and the potential role of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the detection of pulmonary SSNs, to help clinicians by providing evidence-based recommendations. The classification of the basic histology, nomenclature, and behaviours of the different lesions is described, with the typical imaging patterns and main recommendations for their management when detected on CT imaging. A comprehensive review of the literature has been performed to determine the potential role of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) PET/CT in the evaluation of SSNs. Finally, we describe the synergy of CT and 18 F-FDG PET in the evaluation and management of SSNs. We hypothesise that in cases of 18 F-FDG-positive findings, it would be worth considering pre-emptive local treatment with ablation, radiotherapy, or surgical resection. New prospective studies with greater homogeneity of data acquisition, including imaging time points, would be beneficial when reappraising the role of 18 F-FDG PET/CT following new technical developments.
ISSN:2281-7565
2281-5872
2281-7565
DOI:10.1007/s40336-023-00576-2