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
Calcification
- Diffuse
- Central
- Laminated
- Popcorn
Size
- Less than 4mm
- Between 4mm and 7mm
- Between 8mm and 20mm
- More than 20mm
Growth
Shape
- Polygonal
- Circular
Margins
- Lobulated or scalloped margins
- Intermediate probability
- Smooth margins
- Usually associated with a benign-likelihood
Attenuation
- Solid with glass component
- Malignancy rate of only 7%
- Partly solid with ground glass component
- Malignancy rate of 63%
- Non-solid only ground-glass lesions
- Malignancy rate of 18%.
Contrast enhancement
On CT, radiological signs of pulmonary nodule, include:
- Corona radiata sign
- Highly associated with malignancy
- Air bronchogram sign
- Non-specific sign