Management of the solitary pulmonary nodule: role of thoracoscopy in diagnosis and therapy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The solitary pulmonary nodule remains a common clinical problem. The essential question is whether the lesion is malignant or not. This discussion presents the clinical practice and looks at the problem. DESIGN: Didactic. SETTING: Academic tertiary-care hospital. PATIENTS: Prospective thoracic database. INTERVENTIONS: Minimally invasive technique. RESULTS: The workup and treatment of the solitary pulmonary nodule is presented with particular emphasis on the role of minimally invasive techniques. A small single-institution series is referenced. CONCLUSIONS: The approach is safe and highly effective in diagnosing and often in treating solitary pulmonary nodules.