Question: Hi, I had an MRI 2 years ago for something else 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 (instead of 12 months as I had a node on my diaphragm that needed checking too, so my Dr said do the chest too).

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. I have also followed-up with two pulmonologist since, then and they both said they wouldn't do another scan based on the findings. I just get vert paranoid about this. Going for another scan not only exposes to more radiation, but could easily find more benign findings that could start more scans.

My question is would you still advise another follow up CT scan as per the Fleischner Society recommendations or not as I had the 2nd scan a bit earlier than recommended? 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!

Excerpts from my report attached,

Thanks you for answering. Find it hard to stop thinking about this.

What did you mean by "Though CT scan was done earlier but there may be some change in size of nodules if it is malignant."? Do you mean if it was malignant there would have been some change even in the 6 month period versus 12 month?

I had initially a MRI that first saw them, then a CT Scan to confirm and then another CT scan 6 months later.

Thank you again, much appreciated!

one more question - I thought only a CT scan, not MRI can determine lung nodules? It was the last scan (CT scan) that said they resemble scar and was told that only CT scan is used to monitor nodules as MRI is not so good in the chest for these things?