subsolid nodule

Introduction

A focal, rounded opacity seen on lung CT pure ground glass in appearance (focal density with underlying lung architecture preserved) or is part solid with > 50% ground glass.

Radiology

• pure ground glass
  • < 6 mm, no followup
  • >= 6 mm: CT at 6-12 months, then consider CT at 18-24 months
• part solid nodule
  • < 6 mm, no followup
  • >= 6 mm: CT at 3-6 months, if unchanged & solde compone remains < 6 mm, annual CT for 5 years (slow-growing adenocarcinoma of the lung)

Complications

• development of a solid component in a pure ground glass nodule or enlargement of the solid component of the subsolid nodule suggests a malignany etiology

More general terms

• ground glass opacification