Pulmonary nodule follow-up: be careful with volumetry between contrast enhanced and unenhanced CT

Ann Transl Med. 2016 Sep;4(18):346. doi: 10.21037/atm.2016.08.43.

Abstract

Incident pulmonary nodules are a frequent finding on chest computed tomography (CT) of the lungs requiring follow-up. This case illustrates the importance of taking differences in CT scanning techniques (contrast versus non-contrast enhanced) into account. Comparing nodule size on unenhanced follow-up CT's with initial contrast-enhanced CT may consequently underestimate growth and mask malignant growth rates as demonstrated by our case report.

Keywords: Computed tomography (CT); follow-up; lung cancer; nodule; volumetry.

Publication types

  • Case Reports