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Lung Nodules Diagnosis

Lung nodules are classified as 3- to 4-centimeter abnormalities located in the lung and generally are asymptomatic. Health care professionals usually diagnose lung nodules while patients undergo a chest X-ray for other symptoms. According to PulmonaryChannel.com, these abnormalities are common and found in one out of every 500 chest X-rays with over 150,000 cases of solitary pulmonary nodules diagnosed yearly.

  1. X-Ray

    • An X-ray in the thoracic region is the first diagnostic tool that locates lung nodules. X-rays are repeated in different time intervals to determine if the lung nodule changes over time. A benign (non-cancerous) diagnosis is reported if there is no change in size for a two-year period. A malignant (cancerous) abnormality will be notated if growth occurs within a one- to six-month period of locating the abnormality.

    Laboratory Tests

    • A complete blood count (CBC), stool sample, urinalysis, sputum study and tuberculosis skin test (PPD skin test) are diagnostic tools to determine if lung nodules are present. The tests are also performed to determine if any other diseases or cancers metastasized (spread) from the lungs to other locations in the body. When the lung nodule is suspected to be negative, the PPD skin test is done to rule out a tuberculosis diagnosis which could possibly masquerade as nodules.

    Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

    • A thoracic CT scan is performed after the abnormality is located in the chest X-ray. A CT scan is more thorough than a normal chest X-ray and able to enhance the characteristics of the nodule to include size, shape, pattern and surrounding lesions. It can also pinpoint the area where the nodule is located and if there are multiple nodules present.

    PET Scan

    • A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a diagnostic tool to determine if a lung nodule is present. It uses a radiolabeled (radioactive combination) substance to measure the lesions metabolic activity. While using a 3-D, colored image, the PET scan can determine the amount of substance the tissues are absorbing. Malignant nodules take in more substance than benign nodules.

    Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy Biopsy

    • Fiberoptic bronchoscopy biopsy is a diagnostic test used to determine if respiratory disorders are present. Using a flexible tube, this operation takes a sample of lung tissue for biopsy. After collection, it is examined in the laboratory under a microscope to determine if the nodule is benign or malignant. Approximately more than 70 percent of lung cancers are biopsied using a bronchoscopy, according to PulmonaryChannel.com.

    Percutaneous Needle Biopsy

    • A needle biopsy is performed using aspiration (withdrawal of fluids) from the chest wall. After the aspiration is performed, the sample will be examined in a laboratory by a pathologist to diagnose if the lesion is benign or malignant. According to PulmonaryChannel.com, needle biopsies provide accurate diagnosis of malignant nodules approximately 75 to 95 percent of the time.

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