Detection failures in spiral CT screening for lung cancer: analysis of CT findings

Abstract

Purpose: To clarify the computed tomographic (CT) findings and the progression of minute lung cancers that were missed at initial spiral CT screening but were later detected.

Materials and methods: The findings from seven patients with lung cancer that was missed at the initial spiral CT screening were reviewed. Retrospective CT findings, time to detection, cell type, and pathologic stage were evaluated.

Results: Minute lung cancers missed at early spiral CT included a nodule among the shadows of old tuberculosis (n = 2), a faint nodule with high attenuation in the center of the nodule (n = 1), an increase in attenuation just adjacent to an axial peripheral pulmonary vessel (n = 1) and adjacent to a craniocaudal peripheral pulmonary vessel (n = 1), and a minute faint nodule (n = 2). The time to detection ranged from 6 to 18 months. At pathologic examination, six cancers were stage I, and one was stage II.

Conclusion: Minute nodules of lung cancer that are near the threshold of detectability may be missed at spiral CT screening. It is important to examine noncalcified nodules with thin-section CT even when lesions from prior disease, such as those from old tuberculosis, exist and to evaluate the shadows of pulmonary vessels carefully. A follow-up examination is highly recommended.