Objective To explore the factors influencing the imaging characteristics of non-tuberculous Mycobacterium lung disease in China by CT composite scoring system.
Methods A total of 56 patients were retrospectively collected during September 2018 to October 2019 in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University with suspicious nontuberculous mucobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), according to the CT score, it is divided into groups with CT score < 10 (n=27) and groups with CT score ≥ 10 (n=29). Clinical and imaging information were collected, and imaging evaluation intergrated bronchiectasis, tree-in-bud, nodular, consolidation, cavity, aspergilloma and lung segment into scoring system.
Results Age was significantly increased in the CT score ≥ 10 group (65.63±11.2 vs 56.21±14.09, P=0.008). There was a correlation between age and CT score (r=0.322, P=0.016). CT scores of right upper middle lobe, left tongue segment and tree-in-bud sign were correlated with CT scores increasement with significant difference (all r>0.7, P < 0.05). The correlation between left tongue lobe and tree-in-bud sign was strongly correlated (r=0.73, P=0.05). CT score affected the absorption rate of lesions in patients (P=0.037), but it may be related to confounding factors (HR=0.416, P=0.084).
Conclusion The severe pulmonary lesions are mainly related to the bronchiectasis and tree-in-bud of left tongue segment. Elderly patients had more severe lung imaging lesions, and the absorption of the lesion was not obvious.
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