Application value of volumetric CT value in quantifying the activity of a pulmonary tuberculoma

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the auxiliary diagnostic value of volumetric CT value in quantifying the activity of a pulmonary tuberculoma. Methods Chest CT image data of 112 patients with pulmonary tuberculomas who were diagnosed clinically between October 16, 2013 and March 21, 2023 were selected. With the shortest diameter axis>5 mm on the mediastinal window serving as the inclusion criterion, 108 active tuberculomas and 64 non-active tuberculomas were selected. The focused image was manually segmented using ITK-SNAP software, the volumetric CT value of the focus was calculated, and the ROC curve was analyzed. Using the final clinical diagnosis as the reference standard, the auxiliary diagnostic efficacy and consistency of the conventional CT film reading method and volumetric CT value in determining the activity of a pulmonary tuberculoma were compared. Results The volumetric CT value of 108 active pulmonary tuberculoma lesions (33.39 [28.17,36.23] HU) was significantly less than 64 inactive pulmonary tuberculoma lesions (78.91 [57.81,120.31] HU); the difference was statistically significant (Z = -10.888. P Conclusion Accurately quantifying the volumetric CT value of a pulmonary tuberculoma focus determines the activity of a pulmonary tuberculoma, which has very important auxiliary diagnostic value.