Management of incidental pulmonary nodules in patients with and without previous malignancy

Incidental pulmonary nodules are common findings in radiologic examinations performed for other reasons. They may represent early lung cancer, pulmonary metastases and other malignancy as well as various benign lesions. Techniques for classification of nodules are based on their attenuation, enhancement, glucose utilisation and size. Ultimately, biopsy may be required to confirm or exclude malignancy. During this course the probability of malignancy in different clinical scenarios, different techniques for nodule characterisation, their advantages and limitations will be discussed.

Diagnostic algorithms based on nodule size, attenuation and the pretest probability of malignancy will be presented.

Lernziele:

• To assess the probability of malignancy in incidental pulmonary nodules.

• To understand possibilites and limitations of different non-invasive techniques for nodule characterisation

• To decide which biopsy technique to use in different nodules

Korrespondierender Autor: Diederich S

Marien Hospital Düsseldorf, Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Rochusstr. 2, 40479 Düsseldorf

E-Mail: [e-mail]