Lung Nodules

Question 1

What is the difference between a lung nodules and lung mass?

Answer 1

A lung nodule is a rounded opacity in the lung that measures under 3cm in diameter (if over 3cm would be referred to as a mass).

Question 2

What are the inflammatory causes of lung nodules?

Answer 2

Granuloma - e.g. lung nodules are common in granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Rheumatoid nodule

Question 3

What are the infective causes of lung nodules?

Answer 3

Lung abscess
Small focus of pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Fungal - e.g. aspergillosis, histoplasmosis

Question 4

What are general causes of nodule other than cancer?

Answer 4

Infarcted lung secondary to pulmonary embolism
Localised pulmonary haemorrhage leading to a haematoma
Intrapulmonary lymph node

Question 5

How can lung nodules be best detected?

Answer 5

Usually detected on X-ray but CT chest may be more ideal to make it out

Question 6

When does a lung nodules be not need any follow up?

Answer 6

Under 3mm
OR
Benign like a hamartoma (abnormal mixture of cells and tissues)

Question 7

When does a long nodule need a yearly CT follow up?

Answer 7

5-6 mm nodule

Question 8

When does a lung nodule need a follow up in 3 months?

Answer 8

6-8mm

Question 9

How are nodules over 8mm managed?

Answer 9

Estimate risk of lung cancer
CT guided Percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy

Question 10

What is C