South Korean researchers have found that certain CT features may help identify which patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) could be candidates for sublobar resection rather than more extensive surgery, according to a study published May 13 in the American Journal of Roentgenology.
A group led by Dr. Jooae Choe, PhD, of the University of Ulsan College of Medicine in Seoul conducted a study that included 904 patients who underwent lobectomy (574) or sublobar resection (330) for stage IA NSCLC. Two radiologists interpreted patients' preoperative CT findings.
The team found that particularly in "solid-dominant part solid nodules and solid nodules with solid portion diameter over 10 mm," peritumoral interstitial thickening and pleural contact "were independently associated with pathologic lymphovascular invasion." Models that included these two features were effective in predicting recurrence-free survival after sublobar resection, the researchers noted.
"CT features may help select patients with stage IA NSCLC for sublobar resection rather than more extensive surgery," they concluded.
![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
