Pulmonary nodule imaging
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Pulmonary Nodule Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Pulmonary nodule imaging On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pulmonary nodule imaging |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Pulmonary nodule imaging |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]
Overview
Conventional radiography is the initial method of choice for the evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodule. The evaluation and risk assessment of solitary pulmonary nodule will depend on several characteristics, such as: size, growth, shape, margin, air bronchogram sign, and attenuation. Further evaluation of solitary pulmonary lung nodule, should include enhanced CT scan or MRI imaging. Other imaging studies include PET scanning, which may be useful as a staging modality, detection of occult disease, and malignancy assessment.
Imaging
Plain Radiograph
- Conventional radiography is the initial method of choice for the evaluation of pulmonary nodule
- Conventional chest radiograph may also be helpful in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodule
CT
MRI
| Radiologic Features Suggestive of Benign or Malignant Solitary Pulmonary Nodules Adapted from American Academy of Family Physicians [1] |
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| Radiologic feature | Benign | Malignant | |
| Size | < 5 mm | > 10 mm | |
| Border | Smooth | Irregular or spiculated | |
| Density | Dense, solid | Nonsolid, “ground glass” | |
| Calcification | Typically a benign feature, especially in “concentric,” “central,” “popcorn-like,” or “homogeneous” patterns | Typically noncalcified, or “eccentric” calcification | |
| Doubling time | Less than one month; more than one year | One month to one year | |
Gallery
Plain Radiograph
CT
MRI
References
- ↑ Solitary Pulmonary Nodule: Morphological Evaluation. http://pubs.rsna.org/doi/pdf/10.1148/radiographics.20.1.g00ja0343 Accessed on March 15, 2016