Thoracic surgery clinics
-
Thoracic surgery clinics · May 2013
ReviewSystematic approach to the management of the newly found nodule on screening computed tomography: role of dedicated pulmonary nodule clinics.
Indeterminate pulmonary nodules in asymptomatic individuals are common, and their incidence is expected to increase. Although evidence-based guidelines exist for the management of these lesions, they are not in complete agreement and are often not followed, resulting in inconsistent management. A dedicated program or clinic for the management of lung nodules would allow an institution to deliver evidence-based, standardized care for patients with indeterminate nodules, and should include multidisciplinary care, state-of-the-art technology and expertise, and a patient navigation system to provide a user-friendly service for both patients and referring physicians. A dedicated pulmonary nodule clinic has many potential advantages.