Pulmonary nodules
Pulmonary nodules are small spots in the lungs formed by the accumulation of cancerous cells, infections, or inflammatory conditions (such as sarcoidosis and Wegener’s). Nodules can also often be due to an old inactive scar tissue from prior infection or inflammation. The nodules themselves produce no symptoms, and many are discovered accidentally on a chest x-ray.
A specific diagnosis is often recommended; this requires a biopsy. Depending on the location of the nodule, this biopsy can be performed by bronchoscopy, fine needle aspiration or surgical removal.
Clemenceau Medical Center puts at the disposition of the pulmonary specialist a large spectrum of the latest and state of the art tools for the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules such as: advanced CT scan, PET scan, complete lung function testing. A minimally invasive technique called thoracoscopy can be performed to remove the nodule, when the size and location is favorable.