Journal of Chest Surgery

The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (대한심장혈관흉부외과학회)
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Guidelines for the Investigation and Management of Ground Glass Nodules

  • Lee, Jun Hee (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine) ;
  • Hong, Jeong In (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Hyun Koo (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2021.03.08
  • Accepted : 2021.06.03
  • Published : 2021.10.05
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Abstract

The clinical significance of ground-glass nodules (GGNs) has been investigated in extensive clinical research for many years. The natural history of GGNs is known to be closely related to their size, proportion of solid components, and size progression over time. Based on these data, several guidelines for GGN management have been published worldwide. The indications for nonsurgical biopsy or surgical resection of GGNs are as follows: pure GGNs between 5 and 10 mm in size if they increase in size or show development of a solid component at follow-up, pure GGNs >10-15mm that remain stable but persistent, part-solid nodules >8 mm persisting at follow-up, or part-solid nodules with a solid component >6 mm at follow-up. Newly updated data considering geographical or racial factors and recent developments in surgical techniques may improve the surgical indications for GGNs in the near future.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the Korean Health Technology R&D Project, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (ID: HI19C0166).

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