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Japanese Journal of Radiology

Published in:

01-01-2014 | Original Article

Kurtosis and skewness assessments of solid lung nodule density histograms: differentiating malignant from benign nodules on CT

Authors: Ayano Kamiya, Sadayuki Murayama, Hisashi Kamiya, Tsuneo Yamashiro, Yasuji Oshiro, Nobuyuki Tanaka

Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of our study was to assess pulmonary nodule characteristics using density histogram kurtosis and skewness and to distinguish malignant from benign nodules.

Materials and methods

Ninety-three lung nodules on CT were analyzed, including 72 malignant and 21 benign nodules. They were completely solid or solid with limited ground-glass opacity. Based on their CT characteristics, nodules were categorized into type A, homogeneous nodules with uniform internal structures and clear margins, and type B, inhomogeneous nodules with heterogeneous structures or uneven margins. Kurtosis and skewness were calculated from density histograms to compare type A and B nodules and malignant and benign nodules. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess kurtosis and skewness for discriminating between different nodule types.

Results

Type A nodules (n = 35) had greater kurtosis and reduced skewness (p < 0.001) compared to type B nodules (n = 58). Malignant tumor kurtosis was greater than that of benign nodules (type A, p < 0.05; type B, p = 0.001). Type B malignant tumors had reduced skewness compared to benign nodules (p < 0.05). ROC curves provided relatively high values for the area under the curve (0.71–0.83).

Conclusion

Kurtosis and skewness assessments of density histograms may be useful for differentiating malignant from benign nodules.

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Title: Kurtosis and skewness assessments of solid lung nodule density histograms: differentiating malignant from benign nodules on CT
Authors: Ayano Kamiya
Sadayuki Murayama
Hisashi Kamiya
Tsuneo Yamashiro
Yasuji Oshiro
Nobuyuki Tanaka
Publication date: 01-01-2014
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 1867-1071
Electronic ISSN: 1867-108X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-013-0264-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Kurtosis and skewness assessments of solid lung nodule density histograms: differentiating malignant from benign nodules on CT

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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