Table 4 CT characteristics of the BLL sign in neoplastic and non-neoplastic GGNs
Characteristics | Non-neoplastic GGNs (n = 12) | Neoplastic GGNs (n = 175) | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|
Size (mm) (range) | 3.07 ± 0.82 (1.7–4.0) | 4.54 ± 2.15 (1.5–15) | 0.019 |
Single/multiple | 10/2 | 129/46 | 0.734 |
Density | 0.528 | ||
Air density | 11 (91.7) | 165 (94.3) | |
Similar to normal lung tissue | 1 (8.3) | 10 (5.7) | |
Shape | 0.005 | ||
Round | 5 (41.7) | 22 (12.6) | 0.019 |
Oval | 7 (58.3) | 97 (55.4) | 0.845 |
Irregular | 0 | 56 (32) | 0.019 |
Location in nodule | < 0.001 | ||
Central type | 1 (8.3) | 45 (25.7) | 0.314 |
Peripheral type | 4 (33.4) | 124 (70.9) | 0.017 |
Marginal type | 7 (58.3) | 3 (1.7) | < 0.001 |
Peripheral and marginal type | 0 | 3 (1.7) | 1.000 |
Concomitant air bronchogram | 1(8.3) | 65 (37.4) | 0.088 |
GGNs with round BLL | 1(8.3) | 7 (4.0) | 0.379 |
GGNs with oval BLL | / | 41 (23.4) | |
GGNs with irregular BLL | / | 17 (9.7) |