Abstract: This study explored the clinical value of CT morphological features combined with gemstone spectrum imaging (GSI) in the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules. A total of 110 patients (110 lung nodules) with solitary pulmonary nodules confirmed by lung biopsy or surgical pathology were selected for research. The CT plain scan and GSI plain scan data of patients were analyzed. According to the pathological results, there were 41 cases in the benign group (inflammatory nodules, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia) and 69 cases in the malignant group (small lung cancer nodules). The differences in the comprehensive scores of the morphological characteristics of small lung nodules, the slope of the energy spectrum curve in the arteriovenous phase, the 40 keV CT value, and the NIC were compared between the two groups of patients. The total scores of burr syndrome and spinous process sign, lobular sign, vascular cluster sign, pleural depression sign, bronchial sign, intralesional calcification, lesion enhancement value, and solitary pulmonary nodule morphological characteristics of the malignant group were all higher than those of the benign group (P<0.05). The slope of the energy spectrum curve, 40 keV CT value and NIC of the arterial phase and venous phase of the malignant group were lower than those of the benign group (P<0.05). The morphological characteristics of solitary malignant pulmonary nodules are significantly different from benign pulmonary nodules. The energy spectrum curve slope, 40 keV CT value and NIC value of malignant nodules are significantly different from those of benign nodules. Comprehensive analysis of the morphological characteristics of nodules and GSI parameters are of great significance to the diagnosis of benign and malignant.

Key words: solitary pulmonary nodule, CT morphological features, gemstone spectrum imaging, diagnosis