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9.10: Multiple Lung Nodules

  • Page ID
    14830
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    Case

    Multiple Pulmonary Nodules

    Clinical:

    History – This 64 year old female had a nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma 1 year ago. She was lost to follow-up. She was seeing her primary physician for mild chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

    Symptoms – Mild, dull, chest pain. Weight loss (7 kg in 3 months). Fatigue.

    Physical – Nephrectomy scar was seen. Nil else.

    DDx:

    Infection, Pneumonia

    Malignancy

    Imaging Recommendation

    Chest X-ray

    ODIN Link for Multiple Pulmonary Nodules images, Figure 9.25: mistr.usask.ca/odin/?caseID=20170119104540694

    chest-case-12-2-1.jpg
    Figure 9.25 Chest x-ray displaying multiple lung nodules

    Imaging Assessment

    Findings:

    There were multiple nodules in both lungs of varying sizes. They were round and well marginated. No evidence of central necrosis. No evidence of lymphadenopathy. No other findings.

    Interpretation:

    Embolic infection

    Embolic malignancy

    Diagnosis:

    Metastatic Disease – Renal Cell Carcinoma

    Discussion:

    Multiple nodules in the lung are most often metastatic lesions that have traveled through the bloodstream from a distant primary (hematogenous spread). Hematogenous spread of infection may also be possible. Multiple metastatic nodules are usually of differing sizes, varying from micronodular to “cannonball” masses, indicating tumour embolization that occurred at different times. They are frequently sharply marginated.

    Possible Tumours of Origin:  
    Males Females
    Colorectal carcinoma Breast cancer
    Renal cell carcinoma Colorectal carcinoma
    Head and neck tumors Renal cell carcinoma
    Testicular and bladder carcinoma Cervical or endometrial carcinoma
    Malignant melanoma Malignant melanoma
    Sarcomas Sarcomas

    Possible Primary Tumours that may result in Lung Metastases, by Gender

    X-ray findings may include:

    • Nodules of similar or varying sizes.
    • The patient may be cachectic due to malignancy.
    • The nodules may be smooth or lobulated.
    • There may be cavitation in some types of nodules or masses.

    Attributions

    Figure 9.25 Chest x-ray displaying multiple lung nodules by Dr. Brent Burbridge MD, FRCPC, University Medical Imaging Consultants, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan is used under a CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.


    This page titled 9.10: Multiple Lung Nodules is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Brent Burbridge and Evan Mah via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.