ABSTRACT

Imaging Techniques In addition to the chest radiograph and CT scanning, additional methods of noninvasive radiographic testing are being evaluated. Early studies using contrast-enhanced CT scans have been very promising and are now being used routinely in some medical centers. With this technique, malignant nodules exhibit a higher degree of enhancement with the administration of intravenous contrast as compared with benign nodules. Contrastenhancement studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission to­ mography (PET) technology have also been reported as helpful in improving the accuracy in predicting malignancy. In most hospitals and clinics, cost and availability preclude the routine use of MRI and PET technology.