CT scan
do we follow a solitary nodule in a low risk, non smoker, young pt with chest x ray or ct??
- kaplan said ct every 3 months, for 2 yrs...and even PET scan if its more than 1.5 cm large
- uworld says xray every 3 months, for 12 months
Smaller solitary pulm nodules are not visualized on normal chest x-ray, must be above 5-10 mm. So even in low risk patients, you should do CT scan for follow up.
Initially, x-ray, CT scan and potentialy PET scan should be done.
Follow-up: depends on size of nodule. But if it's more than 8 mm in low risk, do regular CT scan, some say every 3 months, other say at 3,9 and 24 months, even contrast-enhanced, and PET scan. (Source: medscape)
