Nodular-like ground glass density shadow or called ground glass density nodular shadow is an imaging concept. On chest CT, one or more small nodular lesions may be found in the lung tissue with a fainter density like ground glass, hence the term ground glass density nodular shadow. The edges of the nodular lesions appear clear or blurred, which can be helpful for diagnosis.
Nodular ground-glass density shadowing is usually considered clinically as a sign of early lung cancer first, followed by inflammation or benign tumors of the lung.
Because the lesions are small and difficult to biopsy, the chest CT is usually repeated after a period of anti-inflammatory treatment, and if the nodular shadow disappears or becomes smaller, it is very likely to indicate inflammation; if there is no change in the nodular shadow, thoracoscopic surgery should be considered to remove the nodular lesions in the lung and then pathological examination should be done to confirm the diagnosis.
A nodular, ground-glass density shadow in the lung should be treated properly under the guidance of a physician for early recovery.