226.Solitary pulmonary nodule,conventional radiograph(A) and CT

每天朗读一段医学影像学英语文章

A 1.8 cm nodule is seen in the right upper lobe (solid and dotted white arrows) in this 53-year-old male with an episode of hemoptysis. The critical question to be answered in evaluating any solitary pulmonary nodule is whether the lesion is benign or malignant. The answer to the question will depend on many factors, including the lesion's size and availability of prior imaging studies, which can help greatly in establishing growth of a lesion over time. A PET scan in a lesion of this size might help in indicating if the nodule is benign or not. This patient had a biopsy that revealed an adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Notes

1. hemoptysis   /hɪ'mɑptəsɪs/ n. 咳血、咯血

Extensive Reading

Solitary Nodule/Mass in the Lung

The difference between a nodule and a mass is size: under 3 cm, it is usually called a nodule; over 3 cm a mass.

Much has been written about the workup of a patient in whom a single nodular density is discovered in the lung on imaging of the thorax, i.e., the solitary pulmonary nodule. It is estimated that as many as 50% of smokers have a nodule discovered by chest CT, but fewer than 1% of the nodules < 5 mm in size show any malignant tendencies (growth or metastases) when followed for 2 years.

In evaluating a solitary pulmonary nodule, the critical question to be answered is whether the nodule is most likely benign or malignant.

· If most likely benign, it can be watched. If most likely malignant, it will almost certainly be treated aggressively with therapies that carry some degree of morbidity and mortality.

The answer to the question of benign versus malignant will depend on many factors, including the availability of prior imaging studies which can help greatly in establishing stability of a lesion over time.

来源：每天朗读一段医学影像学英语文章

圈主

深圳市人民医院放射科副主任医师杨敏洁

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