Tuberc Respir Dis.  1989 Dec;36(4):320-327. 10.4046/trd.1989.36.4.320.

Clinical Observations of the Solitary Pulmonary nodules

• KMID: 2528524
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1989.36.4.320

Abstract

We reviewed 58 cases of solitary pulmonary nodules on simple chest P.A at the Yonsei University Severance Hospital from September 1981 to August 1988 and the following results were obtained. 1) The ratio between male and female was 1.3:1 and the mean age was 48-year-old. 2) Among 58 cases of pulmonary nodules, 19 cases were bronchogenic carcinoma, 17 cases were tuberculoma and the other cases were benign nodules. 3) In patients more than 35 years of age, bronchogenic carcinoma were 19 cases among the 44 cases. 4) 32 cases (55.2%) in our solitary pulmonary nodules was asymptomatic and 10 cases among these were confirmed to be bronchogenic carcinoma. 5) The ratio between non-smoker and smoker was 1.2:1 and 10 cases of smokers (26 cases) were malignant. 6) The mean size of the nodules was 3.5 cm and, in nodules more than 3 cm, 12 cases were malignant among the 32 cases. 7) Calcification was noted on 11 cases of 58 cases of pulmonary nodules. In 11 patients, one case was bronchogenic carcnoma (epidermoid carcinoma). In 47 cases of non-calcified nodules 18 cases were malignant . 8) Diagnostic yield of TBLB and NAB for malignant or benign nodules: The yield of TBLB was thirteen of 51 (25.5%). The yield of NAB was four of 5 (80%). The yield of TBLB and/ or NAB was 26 of 56 (46.4%). 9) In 11 patients. neither TBLB nor NAB provided a specific diagnosis. Among those patients, one was confirmed to be malignant by operation. In conclusion, the proportion of bronchogenic carcinoma in our solitary pulmonary nodules was 32.8%. It seems to be that the possibility of malignancy is much decreased, if the results of TBLB and NAB for solitary pulmonary nodules are negative.