Diagnostic classification of solitary pulmonary nodules using dual time 18F-FDG PET/CT image texture features in granuloma-endemic regions

Lung cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, usually presents as solid pulmonary nodules (SPNs) on early diagnostic images. Classification of malignant disease at this early timepoint is critical for improving the success of surgical resection and increasing 5-year survival rates. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT has demonstrated value for SPNs diagnosis with high sensitivity to detect malignant SPNs, but lower specificity...