Incidentally detected small pulmonary nodules on CT.
The widespread use of multidetector computed tomography for imaging of the chest has lead to a significant increase in the number of incidentally detected pulmonary nodules. The significance of these nodules is often uncertain and further investigations may be required. This article will review the spectrum of imaging appearances of small pulmonary nodules, and highlight the few features that allow confident characterization of a nodule as benign or malignant; current guidelines for the management of incidentally detected nodules will also be discussed.
Edey
A J
AJ
Department of Radiology, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.
Hansell
D M
DM
D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008168:Lung; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D055613:Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*