Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT-based radiomics model to distinguish the growth patterns of early invasive lung adenocarcinoma manifesting as ground-glass opacity nodules

Background To establish and validate 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT-based radiomics model and use it to predict the intermediate-high risk growth patterns in early invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC). Methods Ninety-three ground-glass nodules (GGNs) from 91 patients with stage I who underwent a preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT scan and histopathological examination were included in this study. The LIFEx software was used to extract 52 PET and 49 CT radiomic features. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm was used to select radiomic features and develop radiomics signatures. We used the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) to compare the predictive performance of conventional CT parameters, radiomics signatures, and the combination of these two. Also, a nomogram based on conventional CT indicators and radiomics signature score (rad-score) was developed. Results GGNs were divided into lepidic group (n = 18) and acinar-papillary group (n = 75). Four radiomic features (2 for PET and 2 for CT) were selected to calculate the rad-score, and the area under the curve (AUC) of rad-score was 0.790, which was not significantly different as the attenuation value of the ground-glass opacity component on CT (CTGGO) (0.675). When rad-score was combined with edge (joint model), the AUC increased to 0.804 (95% CI [0.699–0.895]), but which was not significantly higher than CTGGO (P = 0.109). Furthermore, the decision curve of joint model showed higher clinical value than rad-score and CTGGO, especially under the purpose of screening for intermediate-high risk growth patterns. Conclusion PET/CT-based radiomics model shows good performance in predicting intermediate-high risk growth patterns in early IAC. This model provides a useful method for risk stratification, clinical management, and personalized treatment.