TY - JOUR
T1 - Follow-up of small (4 mm or Less) incidentally detected nodules by computed tomography in oncology patients
T2 - A retrospective review
AU - Munden, Reginald F.
AU - Erasmus, Jeremy J.
AU - Wahba, Hisham
AU - Fineberg, Naomi S.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2010/12
Y1 - 2010/12
N2 - It is often not possible to determine whether small nodules detected on computed tomography (CT) in oncology patients are metastatic. We evaluated a group of oncology patients to determine the outcome of small pulmonary nodules and whether they can be ignored in the therapeutic decision process. Materials and Methods: Radiology reports of thoracic CTs from a 2-year period were searched for keywords indicating a small pulmonary nodule. All CT images were evaluated by two thoracic radiologists for nodules 4 mm or less. There were 102 cases that met criteria for inclusion. Results: Forty-seven had follow-up CT of less than 365 days, and 55 had follow-up CT for more than 365 days. For those with less than 365 days, the observed nodule was increased (17, 36%), increased and new nodules (9, 19%); stable (19, 40%); stable but new nodules developed (1); and decreased (1). For those with greater than 365 days follow-up, the observed nodule was increased (3, 5%); stable (51, 93%); and stable but new nodule developed (1). Combined, 28% of patient';s nodules increased (90% were within 365 days; 25% within 203 days; and 14% within 14 days). Conclusion: In oncologic patients, 28% of small pulmonary nodules detected at initial CT will increase in size, suggesting metastasis. This increase in size tends to occur early, and follow-up CT in 3 months and 6 months would be appropriate in further evaluation. Small nodules that are stable in size for more than 365 days are unlikely to be pulmonary metastasis.
AB - It is often not possible to determine whether small nodules detected on computed tomography (CT) in oncology patients are metastatic. We evaluated a group of oncology patients to determine the outcome of small pulmonary nodules and whether they can be ignored in the therapeutic decision process. Materials and Methods: Radiology reports of thoracic CTs from a 2-year period were searched for keywords indicating a small pulmonary nodule. All CT images were evaluated by two thoracic radiologists for nodules 4 mm or less. There were 102 cases that met criteria for inclusion. Results: Forty-seven had follow-up CT of less than 365 days, and 55 had follow-up CT for more than 365 days. For those with less than 365 days, the observed nodule was increased (17, 36%), increased and new nodules (9, 19%); stable (19, 40%); stable but new nodules developed (1); and decreased (1). For those with greater than 365 days follow-up, the observed nodule was increased (3, 5%); stable (51, 93%); and stable but new nodule developed (1). Combined, 28% of patient';s nodules increased (90% were within 365 days; 25% within 203 days; and 14% within 14 days). Conclusion: In oncologic patients, 28% of small pulmonary nodules detected at initial CT will increase in size, suggesting metastasis. This increase in size tends to occur early, and follow-up CT in 3 months and 6 months would be appropriate in further evaluation. Small nodules that are stable in size for more than 365 days are unlikely to be pulmonary metastasis.
KW - CT nodules
KW - Incidental nodules
KW - Small lung nodules
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U2 - 10.1097/JTO.0b013e3181f2636e
DO - 10.1097/JTO.0b013e3181f2636e
M3 - Article
C2 - 20978449
AN - SCOPUS:78650509735
VL - 5
SP - 1958
EP - 1962
JO - Journal of Thoracic Oncology
JF - Journal of Thoracic Oncology
SN - 1556-0864
IS - 12
ER -