ObjectiveBy applying the mutual corroboration in the diagnosis, we aimed to improve the accuracy of preoperative imaging diagnosis, select the appropriate timing of operation and guide the follow-up time for patients with pulmonary nodules.MethodsClinical data of 1 368 patients with pulmonary nodules undergoing surgical treatment in our department from July 2016 to October 2019 were summarized. There were 531 males and 837 females at age of 44 (21-67) years. The intraoperative findings, images and pathology were classified and analyzed. The imaging pathology and pathological changes of pulmonary nodules were shown as a dynamic process through mutual collaboration and interaction.ResultsOf 1 368 patients with pulmonary nodules, 376 (27.5%) were pure ground-glass nodules, 729 (53.3%) were mixed ground-glass nodules and 263 (19.2%) were solid nodules. Among the pure ground-glass nodules, adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) accounted for the highest proportion (156 patients), followed by microinvasive adenocarcinoma (MIA, 90 patients), atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH, 85 patients), and benign tumors (20 patients). Among mixed ground-glass nodules, 495 patients were invasive adenocarcinoma (IA) and 207 patients of MIA. In solid nodules, patients were characterized by pathology of either IA (213 patients) or benign tumors (50 patients), and no patient was featured by AAH, AIS or MIA.ConclusionThe mutual collaboration and interaction can improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of pulmonary nodules, and it supports the choice of operation timing and the judgment of follow-up time.