The solitary pulmonary nodule

The imaging evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule is complex. Management: decisions are based on clinical history, size and appearance of the nodale. and Feasibility or obtaining a tissue diagnosis. The most reliable imaging features are those that are indicative of benignancy, such as a benign pattern of calcification and periodic follow-lip with computed tomography for 2 years showing no growth. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy and cor,e biopsy at,e important procedures that may obviate surgery if there is a specific benign diagnosis from the procedure. In using the various imaging and diagnostic modalities described in this review. one should strive to not only identify small malignant tumours-where resection results in high survival rates-but. also spat-e patients with benign disease from undergoing unnecessary surgery.