Question:

I am a 39 year old female with a history of multiple melanomas and cervical cancer (all early stage with surgical treatment only). My PET/CT this November indicated a new 5mm left mid-lung nodule on the CT portion which did not show uptake on the PET portion. I had a CXR a week ago (for a cough) which was “normal” and made no reference to the nodule. I also had a CXR this past July (prior to the PET/CT) which was “normal.” The radiologist did note he compared the two films.

I know the CT is a more sensitive test and can pick up things an x-ray can`t. Should the nodule have shown up on the x-ray? Or, is it possible that a 5mm nodule would show on the CT and not on the x-ray? Of course, we`d prefer to believe that it`s gone at this point. I`m having a repeat PET/CT in February. Thanks for your assistance!!

Answer:

As you point out, a CXR is not as sensitive as a CT. It is quite possible that a small nodule that is detected by CT would not be seen by CXR. It is reassuring that the PET/CT in November did not show uptake in the nodule. But I agree that it cannot be completely dismissed and that repeat PET/CT is appropriate.

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Go to the Lung and Respiratory Diseases health topic.