Pulmonary nodules are commonly detected at computed tomography (CT) of the chest. More than 95% are <-10 mm; of these more than 95% are benign. Visual detection of pulmonary nodules by human readers is suboptimal, particularly with small nodules <-10 mm. Computer-assisted detection can improve sensitivity and diagnostic confidence. Due to the high proportion of malignant lesions in nodules >10 mm immediate, often invasive workup is required including contrast-enhanced dynamic CT, positron emission tomography (PET) or biopsy. However, in nodules <-10 mm the high proportion of benign lesions requires a non-invasive work-up usually based on followup with unenhanced CT. Invasive procedures are only required for growing nodules. Stable nodules require further follow-up and decreasing nodules are considered benign.

Author

S Diederich and M Das

Contact Details

Corresponding address:
Prof Dr med. Stefan Diederich,
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional
Radiology and Nuclear Medicine,
Marien Hospital,
Academic Teaching Hospital, Rochusstr. 2,
D-40479 Dusseldorf, Germany

Reference

ICIS Cancer Imaging Volume 6 Special Issue A
DOI: 10.1102/1470-7330.2006.9004

Date Posted

31 October 2006

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