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What Do Nodules In Lungs Indicate?
Question: Hi, I had an MRI a year back and 3 small nodules were discovered on my lungs. I'm 43 and a non-smoker. I had a CT scan to confirm this and then had another CT scan 6 months later. After the last scan the radiologist said the nodules were stable since the last scan with largest one being 6mm. He said the nodules have the appearance of scars and there was no instruction for follow-up. My questions are 1. One nodule was 1 mm difference on one side example 4x5mm to 5x5mm, but on inquiring with several people that would just seem to be down to a very slight variation in image or the radiologists interpretation -is this correct? 2. Would you still advise another CT scan in 12 months as per the Fleischner Society Recommendations or not? I’d obviously rather not subject myself to more radiation from the CT scan and would like to forget about this. Thanks in advance for your help!
Brief Answer:
I will explain you in detail.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
You have very small nodules in your lung. 1mm difference in size is not significant at all. This kind of variation is common. It may be due to image wise variation, radiologist interpretation or may be some technical variations. Clinically it is not significant.
Now coming to your second question, you should go for repeat assessment after a year. Your nodule size is not increasing but still nodules are there. If you don't want radiation exposure then you can go for MRI.
It is safe. Forgot about your nodule right now. Just go for assessment later on.
Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer.
Thanks for using health care magic.
Wish you a very good health.
I will explain you in detail.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
You have very small nodules in your lung. 1mm difference in size is not significant at all. This kind of variation is common. It may be due to image wise variation, radiologist interpretation or may be some technical variations. Clinically it is not significant.
Now coming to your second question, you should go for repeat assessment after a year. Your nodule size is not increasing but still nodules are there. If you don't want radiation exposure then you can go for MRI.
It is safe. Forgot about your nodule right now. Just go for assessment later on.
Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer.
Thanks for using health care magic.
Wish you a very good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thanks you for your answer! I went back after 6 months as I had another node on my esophagus that they want to check within 6 months (also fine). So as it was 6 months earlier than the recommended year for the lung nodes. Would an MRI provide an details enough image to compare to? And would not 2 scans with the 2nd one showing stable not be enough?
Brief Answer:
MRI will provide enough detail to compare.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
You should go for MRI. It will give enough details to compare.
You have not told about esophagus node in earlier discussion. Please send me details of that node or send me ct scan report.
For lung nodules no need to worry. Mostly it should be inflammatory in nature. But on safer side you should go for one more repeat evaluation.
Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic.
Wish you a very good health.
MRI will provide enough detail to compare.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
You should go for MRI. It will give enough details to compare.
You have not told about esophagus node in earlier discussion. Please send me details of that node or send me ct scan report.
For lung nodules no need to worry. Mostly it should be inflammatory in nature. But on safer side you should go for one more repeat evaluation.
Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic.
Wish you a very good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
I don't have the report. The lung nodule is fine and no follow-up needed. I was stating that is why I went back in 6 months, not a year as they wanted to check the esophagus nodule and did my lungs too at the same time (instead of waiting 12 months. Sorry to confuse you.
Brief Answer:
You should go for repeat assessment after a year.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
No need to worry at all. Forget about your nodule right now. Just go for MRI after a year to check the condition of that nodules. No further investigation or treatment is required for your lung nodules at this time.
Hope I have answered your all queries.
If you still have any doubts then feel free to ask me.
I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic.
Wish you a very good health.
You should go for repeat assessment after a year.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
No need to worry at all. Forget about your nodule right now. Just go for MRI after a year to check the condition of that nodules. No further investigation or treatment is required for your lung nodules at this time.
Hope I have answered your all queries.
If you still have any doubts then feel free to ask me.
I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic.
Wish you a very good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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