Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The primary imaging modality for the detection of pulmonary metastases is computed tomography (CT). Ideally, a helical CT scan with 3- to 5-mm reconstruction thickness or a volumetric thin section scanning should be performed within 4 weeks of pulmonary metastasectomy. A period of observation to see whether further metastases develop does not seem to allow better patient selection. If positron emission tomography is available, it may identify the extrathoracic metastatic sites in 10 to 15% of patients. Despite helical CT scan, palpation identifies the metastases not detected by imaging in 20 to 25% of patients and remains the standard. No data define the optimal interval for follow-up surveillance imaging.

Original publication

DOI

10.1097/JTO.0b013e3181dcf64d

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Thorac Oncol

Publication Date

06/2010

Volume

5

Pages

S134 - S139

Keywords

Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Lung Neoplasms, Palpation, Pneumonectomy, Positron-Emission Tomography, Radiography, Thoracic, Tomography, Spiral Computed, Tomography, X-Ray Computed