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What Causes Static Lung Nodule On The CAT Scan Of Lungs?
Question: Hi,
I have just had a follow-up Cat Scan for 3 small lung nodules that were found last year. Each one measured 0.5cm. Good news is that in this latest test the results say that they are all stable and are compatible with scars. My question is that the size of the nodules in the latest report have changed a little (very little) - Two are now 1mm smaller and 1 is 1mm larger.
Is this size fluctuation normal even though they are "Stable"? is it due to a slight different image? Or what would cause that?
I have just had a follow-up Cat Scan for 3 small lung nodules that were found last year. Each one measured 0.5cm. Good news is that in this latest test the results say that they are all stable and are compatible with scars. My question is that the size of the nodules in the latest report have changed a little (very little) - Two are now 1mm smaller and 1 is 1mm larger.
Is this size fluctuation normal even though they are "Stable"? is it due to a slight different image? Or what would cause that?
Brief Answer:
1mm fluctuation is almost normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting the query on HCM. After going through your query, I would like to comment the following:
1. Static lung nodule are most of the times caused as a result of fibrotic scars of old healed infections.
2. Difference of 1mm measurement over a period of 1 year is not significant and for all practical purposes the nodules will be considered to be static / stable. Accuracy / precision error of 1 mm in CAT scan is acceptable.
3. Please do not worry.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any. Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist
1mm fluctuation is almost normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting the query on HCM. After going through your query, I would like to comment the following:
1. Static lung nodule are most of the times caused as a result of fibrotic scars of old healed infections.
2. Difference of 1mm measurement over a period of 1 year is not significant and for all practical purposes the nodules will be considered to be static / stable. Accuracy / precision error of 1 mm in CAT scan is acceptable.
3. Please do not worry.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any. Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you for your reply. The radiologist said that they are compatible with scar and flat. So that seems good. But do scars change in size over 6 months. Not just the one that got 1mm bigger but also the 2 that got a tiny bit smaller? Or is this due to the imaging accuracy?
Brief Answer:
The change is non significant.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow up.After going through your query, I would like to comment the following:
An error of 1 mm is acceptable in reading CAT scan. And also do remember scars do tend to shrink with time. There is no point of concern here.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any. Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist
The change is non significant.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow up.After going through your query, I would like to comment the following:
An error of 1 mm is acceptable in reading CAT scan. And also do remember scars do tend to shrink with time. There is no point of concern here.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any. Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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