ABSTRACT
I. Investigation of Pulmonary Nodules 373
II. What is the Current Diagnostic Approach in Lung Nodules? 374
III. Role of FDG-PET in SPN 375
IV. Dual-Time Point Imaging for Differentiating Benign from
Malignant Nodules 378
V. Effects of Partial Volume Correction on Accurate
Measurement of SUV 380
VI. Anatomo-Functional Imaging: PET/CT Combined Scanners 382
VII. Other Tracers 382
VIII. Role of Somatostatin Scintigraphy in SPN 382
IX. Conclusions 384
References 384
I. Investigation of Pulmonary Nodules
Solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) are common findings on chest radiographs
and computed tomography (CT). Primary bronchogenic carcinoma and benign
granulomas constitute .80% of pulmonary nodules with equal distribution of 40% in each category. Primary bronchogenic carcinoma is thought to be the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide and is currently the leading cause
of cancer deaths in males in all European countries (1). The goal of imaging
evaluation is to distinguish between benign and malignant SPNs.