Dual-energy spectral CT characteristics in surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma: comparison between Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene mutations and epidermal growth factor receptor mutations

Background Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog ( KRAS ) and epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) are the two most frequent and well-known oncogene of lung adenocarcinoma. The purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics measured with dual-energy spectral computed tomography (DESCT) in lung adenocarcinoma patients who have KRAS and EGFR gene mutations. Methods Patients with surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma ( n = 72) were enrolled, including 12 patients with KRAS mutations and 60 patients with EGFR mutations. DESCT quantitative parameters, including the CT number at 70 keV, the slopes of the spectral attenuation curves (slope λ HU), normalized iodine concentration (NIC), normalized water concentration (NWC), and effective atomic number (effective Z), were analyzed. A multiple logistic regression model was applied to discriminate clinical and DESCT characteristics between the types of mutations. Results The KRAS mutation was more common in people who smoked than the EGFR mutation. Nodule type differed significantly between the KRAS and EGFR groups ( P = 0.035), and all KRAS mutation adenocarcinomas were solid nodules. Most DESCT quantitative parameters differed significantly between solid nodules and subsolid nodules. CT number at 70 keV, slope λ HU, NIC, and effective Z differed significantly between the KRAS and EGFR groups ( P = 0.006, 0.017 , 0.013 and 0.010) with solid lung adenocarcinoma. Multivariate logistic analysis of DESCT and clinical features indicated that besides smoking history, the CT value at 70 keV (OR = 0.938, P = 0.009) was significant independent factor that could be used to differentiate KRAS and EGFR mutations in solid lung adenocarcinoma. Conclusions DESCT would be a potential tool to differentiate lung adenocarcinoma patients with a KRAS mutation from those with an EGFR mutation.