Diagnostic imaging costs before and after digital tomosynthesis implementation in patient management after detection of suspected thoracic lesions on chest radiography

Insights into Imaging

Table 2 Imaging pattern of lesions

Diagnoses	n	Mean size (cm) ± SD	Size range (cm)
Pulmonary opacities	60	2.5 ± 0.3	2 - 3
Primary lung neoplasms^a	5	2.5 ± 0.7	2 - 3
Ground-glass opacities/nodules^c	47	2.5 ± 0.4	2 - 3
Non-calcified solid nodules^d	32	1.1 ± 0.3	0.5 – 1.5
Pulmonary scars^b	26	1.1 ± 0.3	0.5 - 1.5
Calcified solid nodules	23	1.1 ± 0.3	0.5 – 1.5
Pleural plaques	36	2.4 ± 0.6	1 - 3
Pulmonary pseudolesions ‡	236	-	-
Total number	465	2.3 ± 1.1	0.5 - 4

Radiographic patterns of lesions included in the present study according to reference standards
‡Includes composite areas of increased opacity resulting from overlap of vascular and bone structures of the chest (n = 129 patients), vascular kinkings (n = 55), prominent cardiac auricula (n = 32) or anatomical lung variants as accessory fissures (n = 20)
^aLung adenocarcinomas proven by histology and corresponding to a focal mass opacity with irregular or spiculated margins, and/or scissure or pleural or vessel infiltration on CT
^bAreas of parenchymal bands with architectural distortion due to fibrosis with or without gross calcifications
^cGround-glass pattern as observed on CT, including two indolent lung adenocarcinomas proven by biopsy
^dIncludes two lung adenocarcinomas proven by histology