Imaging-Pathology Correlation of Ground Glass Lesions in the Lungs

Purpose: The ground glass opacity (GGO) is a common finding on chest computed tomography (CT). GGO presents as mild increasing the density of lungs with preserved lung markings. It is important to follow up the GGO lesions. We want to present different etiologies of GGO lesions in images and pathologic findings. Materials and Methods: We collect 30 patients with GGO lesions in lungs on CT images. Needle localization and surgical excision were performed in all of the GGO lesions were performed. Results: The pathologic results of these GGO include atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), opportunistic infection, interstitial pneumonitis and vascular congestion.
Conclusion: The common etiology of GGO includes infectious / inflammatory process, interstitial disease, lepidic proliferation neoplasm. Some benign lesion, such as vascular disease can also present as ground glass opacity. In addition, follow up the ground glass lesions by their sizes, recognize the benign causes of GGO is important to save medical resource and decrease patient's anxiety.