Management of Pulmonary Nodules Found Incidentally on Computed Tomography Scans

Target Audience: Clinicians who order chest computed tomography (CT) scans and radiologists who interpret them.

Background

You might have seen CT scan reports in which “according to the Fleischner Society guidelines…” appears during discussion of an incidentally found small pulmonary nodule. These widely cited guidelines, published initially in 2005, give recommendations on follow-up intervals for repeat imaging. Now, the Society has published a revision.

Key points

• The guidelines address pulmonary nodules detected incidentally on CT scans ordered for other reasons. They do not apply to nodules found on CT scans ordered explicitly for …