MULTIPLE PULMONARY NODULES DETECTED BY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY: DIAGNOSTIC IMPLICATIONS

摘要: Prior to the advent of CT, radiographic demonstration multiple nonmiliary lung nodules usually indicated presence metastases or, less likely, granulomas. The increased sensitivity CT at detecting small parenchymal pulmonary densities is accompanied by loss specificity, creating uncertainty as significance detected in any individual patient. During a 1 year period we reviewed all scans our institution demonstrating three or more focal densities, noting these parameters: number maximum lesion size, calcification determined visually, and morphology (linear nodular). Of 137 patients with nodule diagnosis was established on pathologic clinical grounds 114. Metastases accounted for 73%, primary colon malignancies lymphoma most common causes. Malignant were statistically significantly larger, numerous, rounded, whereas associated benign disease. However, no single criterion combination criteria foolproof. Based results, offer recommendations further evaluation several settings.