Correct!
2. Comparison to prior chest radiographs
The initial approach to the abnormal chest radiograph nearly always is comparison to prior images. When an abnormality is found on a chest radiograph, if that abnormality can be shown to be stable for a significant length of time, the potential cost and morbidity associated with more advanced evaluation may be obviated entirely or at least directed in a more focused fashion. In this case, repeating the chest radiograph is unlikely to be of benefit as the findings are not artifactual in nature. Pulmonary function testing would provide useful information, but is unlikely to provide data that would directly assist in the management of indeterminate pulmonary nodules. 18FDG-PET canning would provide useful data for indeterminate nodules detected at chest radiography, but is premature at this point. Video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy could be diagnostically definitive, but is also premature at this point in the patient’s evaluation.
No prior chest imaging was available for comparison.
Which of the following would be most useful for the evaluation of this patient? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the fouth of nine pages)