Objective:

To investigate the dynamic follow-up of pulmonary nodules by computed tomography (CT) and to determine the clinical and radiological risk factors related to subsequent growth.

Methods:

A total of 188 patients with pulmonary nodules found by chest CT in the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from April 2010 to November 2017 were retr

ospectively collected. A total of 207 pulmonary nodules were followed up for more than 24 months. Age

gender

history of malignant tumor

smoking history and other clinical data were analyzed

and the size

composition

morphology and other radiological characteristics of pulmonary nodules were analyzed.

Results:

The average age of patients in the growth group was higher than that in the non- growth group (

P

＜0.001)

and female patients were more likely to have pulmonary nodule growth (

P

＜0.001); patients with a history of malignancy (

P

=0.002) and smoking (

P

＜0.001) were also more likely to have subsequent growth. In univariate analysis

the larger the initial diameter of pulmonary nodules

solid components

burr

pleural retraction

undefined margin

lobulation

air bronchogram sign and enhancement after enhancement were the risk factors for subsequent growth of pulmonary nodules (

P

＜0.001). In multivariate analysis

age 60 and above (

P

=0.006)

previous history of malignant tumor (

P

=0.001)

initial diameter 8 mm (

P

＜0.001)

lobulation (

P

=0.01) and air bronchogram (

P

=0.012) were independent risk factors for pulmonary nodule growth.

Conclusion:

Pulmonary nodule patients with risk factors

such as 60 years old

previous history of malignant tumor

initial diameter 8 mm

lobulation and air bronchogram sign

need a long follow-up time to dynamically observe the changes of pulmonary nodules.