Newer Modalities in the Work-up of Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules

• Published in: Clinics in chest medicine Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 395 - 415
• Main Authors: Narula, Tathagat, MD, Machuzak, Michael S., MD, Mehta, Atul C., MBBS
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-09-2013
• Subjects: Bronchoscopes; Bronchoscopy - methods; Early Detection of Cancer - methods; Electromagnetic navigation; Endobronchial ultrasound; Flexible bronchoscopy; Humans; Lung - diagnostic imaging; Lung - pathology; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Peripheral pulmonary nodule; Pulmonary/Respiratory; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule - diagnostic imaging; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule - pathology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography; Ultrathin bronchoscopy; Virtual bronchoscopic navigation; Virtual bronchoscopic navigation; Flexible bronchoscopy; Electromagnetic navigation; Ultrathin bronchoscopy; Endobronchial ultrasound; Peripheral pulmonary nodule
• ISSN: 0272-5231; 1557-8216
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2013.06.001

Technological advances in recent years have translated into the availability of newer modalities to establish the cause of peripheral pulmonary nodules (PPN). Even though the verdict is still out on the ideal diagnostic modality, there is no doubt that the bronchoscope is becoming a popular tool in the armamentarium of physicians who deal with PPN. This article focuses on newer bronchoscopic modalities being studied for the work-up of PPN. The authors also summarize the value of established diagnostic modalities to provide a balanced perspective.