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Observational Study
. 2018 Aug;97(34):e11924.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000011924.

Noninvasive pulmonary nodule characterization using transcutaneous bioconductance: Preliminary results of an observational study

Joanna Gariani  1 , Steve P Martin, Anne-Lise Hachulla, Wolfram Karenovics, Dan Adler, Paola M Soccal, Chirstoph D Becker, Xavier Montet
Affiliations
Observational Study

Noninvasive pulmonary nodule characterization using transcutaneous bioconductance: Preliminary results of an observational study

Joanna Gariani et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Aug.

Erratum in

Abstract

We sought to assess the use of an electro pulmonary nodule (EPN) scanner (FreshMedx, Salt Lake City, UT) in the noninvasive characterization of pulmonary nodules using transcutaneous bioconductance.Monocentric prospective study including patients with a pulmonary nodule identified on a chest computed tomography scan. Study protocol approved by the institutional review board and written consent was obtained for every patient. 32 patients (12 females and 20 males), average age 65 years, and average lesion size 33.1 mm (range: 9-123 mm). Data collection by a trained physician, 62 skin surface measurements on the chest, arms, and hands bilaterally. Results were anonymized and mailed to a central data center for analysis and compared to histopathology.Pathology results obtained by percutaneous biopsy (n = 14), surgical biopsy (n = 1), or surgical resection (n = 17) showed 29 malignant lesions (adenocarcinoma n = 21, squamous cell carcinoma n = 5, typical carcinoid n = 1, metastasis n = 2), and 3 benign lesions (necrotic granuloma n = 1, no malignant cells on biopsy n = 2). EPN scanner results had a specificity of 66.67% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09-0.99), sensitivity 72.41% (95% CI 0.53-0.87), positive predictive value 95.45% (95% CI 0.81-0.99), and a negative predictive value 20.00% (95% CI 0.08-0.40).This pilot study showed a high positive predictive value of the EPN scanner, allowing aggressive management of lung nodules characterized as malignant. The low negative predictive value warrants further investigation of nodules that are characterized as benign.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chest computed tomography scan shows a right upper lobe nodule measuring 23 mm. The electro pulmonary nodule scan result was of 0.856 (malignant), and the patient underwent surgical resection of the nodule which confirmed an adenocarcinoma.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chest computed tomography scan shows a left lower lobe mass measuring 50 mm. The electro pulmonary nodule scan result was of 0.148 (benign), the patient underwent surgical resection of the nodule which was adenocarcinoma.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Receiver operating characteristic curves for the Brock model and electro pulmonary nodule. The curves were statistically identical (P = .75).
None
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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