Correlation between high-resolution computed tomographic, magnetic resonance and pathological findings in cases with non-cancerous but suspicious lung nodules

Computed tomography scans, including thin-section high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), occasionally fail to differentiate between small non-can cerous nodules from lung cancers. We describe nine such lesions ( < 20 mm i n diameter) initially identified through our screening program for lung can cer using CT scanning. Pathological diagnosis included nodular fibrosis (n = 4), granuloma (n = 1), cryptococcoma (n = 1), localised organising pneumo nia (n = 1), inflammatory pseudo-tumour (n = 1) and sclerosing haemangioma (n = 1). High-resolution CT findings, together with MRI findings with contr ast-enhanced dynamic studies, were retrospectively evaluated. Additional ca ses should be identified and radiologically characterised in order to reduc e the number of non-cancerous tumours that are treated by unnecessary surge ry.Computed tomography scans, including thin-section high-resolution comput ed tomography (HRCT), occasionally fail to differentiate between small non- cancerous nodules from lung cancers. We describe nine such lesions (< 20 mm in diameter) initially identified through our screening program for lung c ancer using CT scanning. Pathological diagnosis included nodular fibrosis ( n = 4), granuloma (n = 1), cryptococcoma (n = 1), localised organising pneu monia (n = 1), inflammatory pseudo-tumour (n = 1) and sclerosing haemangiom a (n = 1). High-resolution CT findings, together with MRI findings with con trast-enhanced dynamic studies, were retrospectively evaluated. Additional cases should be identified and radiologically characterised in order to red uce the number of non-cancerous tumours that are treated by unnecessary sur gery.