[Analysis of solitary pulmonary nodules found in chest radiograms].
BACKGROUND
The detection of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) has increased due to widespread use of computed tomography; nevertheless, chest radiographs still remain the basic routine examination. The aim of the study was to estimate the detection of SPNs in routine chest X-rays in hospitalized patients and to assess the incidence of malignancy in newly diagnosed SPNs.


METHODS
We analyzed 5,726 routine chest radiographs of patients admitted to the Department of Internal Diseases, Pneumology and Allergology in 2004 and 2005. Most of the patients were admitted to hospital due to emergency reasons. The malignant nature of the nodules was confirmed by pathological examination. The nature of benign nodules was confirmed either by pathological examination or based on radiological criteria: no growth within 2 years of radiological follow up, regression in control radiograms or CT scans, benign pattern of calcification.


RESULTS
Among the 5,726 radiograms we found 116 newly diagnosed SPNs (2.2%). Twenty-four nodules (21%) were malignant: NSCLC in 21 cases and metastases in 3 cases. Fifty-one nodules (44%) were benign. In 19 patients (16%) SPNs proved to be artefacts or erroneously interpreted extrathoracic lesions. In 22 cases (19%) there was no final diagnosis (lack of data, diagnostic procedure renunciation).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of newly detected SPNs in chest X-rays was 2.2%. Most SPNs were benign. About 21% of SPNs were diagnosed as malignant.
Dabrowska
Marta
M
Katedra i Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych, Pneumonologii i Alergologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego. mdabrowska@mp.pl
Kolasa
Anna
A
Zukowska
Małgorzata
M
Lesiński
Jan
J
Domagała-Kulawik
Joanna
J
Maskey-Warzechowska
Marta
M
Krenke
Rafał
R
Rowiński
Olgierd
O
Chazan
Ryszarda
R
D000047:Academies and Institutes; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods