3-D Reconstruction of CT Scan Images in the Evaluation of Non-Specific Pulmonary Nodules

In recent years, more and more people are having lung CT scans performed to screen for various cancers. Many of them have small abnormalities detected, called "nodules", which - for a variety of reasons - doctors are unable to biopsy. As a result, many patients have their CT scans repeated on a regular basis to see if their nodules grow. This process can last several years.

Many patients experience significant anxiety during this process, when they are aware of a spot in the lung, but are not told any specific cause.

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering have developed a new way to look at lung nodules in three dimensions. The purpose of this project is to see if any change in the nodules can be detected sooner by this method than by traditional CT scans.

Patients who meet eligibility criteria will be recruited from the services that comprise the Thoracic Disease Management Team (DMT), specifically the Divisions of Pulmonary Medicine and Thoracic Surgery.

• Undiagnosed Pulmonary Nodules
• Lung Nodules

Inclusion Criteria:

• Referral to the pulmonary or thoracic surgery service for undiagnosed pulmonary nodules.
• History of smoking exceeding 10 pack-years (pack year defined as number of packs of cigarettes per day multiplied by the number of years smoked).
• Age >18
• Nodule size 5 to 15 mm in diameter.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinical indication for immediate biopsy via bronchoscopy, fine needle aspiration, or video-assisted thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)
• Active lung cancer or metastasis to the lung.
• Contraindication to needle biopsy.
• Pneumonectomy
• Need for supplemental oxygen.
• Radiation pneumonitis
• Interstitial lung disease.