title: A practical algorithmic approach to the diagnosis and management of solitary pulmonary nodules: part 2: pretest probability and algorithm.
abstract: In this second part of a two-part series, we describe an algorithmic approach to the diagnosis of the solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). An essential aspect of the evaluation of SPN is determining the pretest probability of malignancy, taking into account the significant medical history and social habits of the individual patient, as well as morphologic characteristics of the nodule. Because pretest probability plays an important role in determining the next step in the evaluation, we describe various methods the physician may use to make this determination. Subsequently, we outline a simple yet comprehensive algorithm for diagnosing a SPN, with distinct pathways for the solid and subsolid SPN.
authors: New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY.
authors: Vishal K
authors: VK
authors: Patel
authors: New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY.
authors: Sagar K
authors: SK
authors: Naik
authors: New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY.
authors: David P
authors: DP
authors: Naidich
authors: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
authors: William D
authors: WD
authors: Travis
authors: New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY.
authors: Jeremy A
authors: JA
authors: Weingarten
authors: New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Lazzaro
authors: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.
authors: David D
authors: DD
authors: Gutterman
authors: New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Wentowski
authors: New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY.
authors: Horiana B
authors: HB
authors: Grosu
authors: New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY. Electronic address: suhailraoof@gmail.com.
authors: Suhail
authors: S
authors: Raoof
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011859:Radiography; D018570:Risk Assessment; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy