Abstract
Solitary pulmonary nodule corresponds to a common radiographic finding, which is frequently detected incidentally. The investigation of this entity remains complex, since characteristics of benign and malignant processes overlap in the differential diagnosis. Currently, many strategies are available to evaluate solitary pulmonary nodules with the main objective of characterizing benign lesions as best as possible, while avoiding to expose patients to the risks inherent to invasive methods, besides correctly detecting cases of lung cancer so as the potential curative treatment is not delayed. This first part of the study focuses on the epidemiology, the morfological evaluation and the methods to determine the likelihood of cancer in cases of indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodule.
Highlights
Solitary pulmonary nodule is a single radiological, round, well circumscribed opacity with ≤ 3 cm in diameter
Most solitary pulmonary nodules are incidentally detected at chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) requested to investigate other diseases
In studies utilizing 18fluorodesoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), the malignancy prevalence may range between 46% to 82%(7)
Summary
Solitary pulmonary nodule is a single radiological, round, well circumscribed opacity with ≤ 3 cm in diameter. It is characterized by being completely surrounded by pulmonary parenchyma, and is not associated with atelectasis, lymph node enlargement, pneumonia and pleural effusion(1). 1. Master, Nuclear Physician at Liga Norte Riograndense Contra o Câncer, Natal, RN, Brazil. 2. MDs, Radiologists at Liga Norte Riograndense Contra o Câncer, Natal, RN, Brazil. 3. PhD, Nuclear Physician at Liga Norte Riograndense Contra o Câncer, Natal, RN, Brazil. The classical definition of indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodule – a potentially malignant lesion – refers to pulmonary nodules that do not meet the typical radiological criteria of benignity(3). The term “pulmonary mass” is currently utilized for pulmonary lesions > 3 cm in diameter, whose likelihood of malignant disease is considerably increased(2)
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