Diagnostic Radiology/Chest Imaging/Chest Indications

Indications of chest CT

 * 1) Evaluation of an abnormality identified on conventional radiographs
 * 2)    Densitometry of solitary pulmonary nodule
 * 3)    Localization and characterization of mediastinal mass
 * 4) Staging of Lung Cancer
 * 5)    Assessment of extent of primary tumor, The relationship of tumor to pleura, chest wall, airways, mediastinum
 * 6)    Detection of hilar and mediastinal LAD
 * 7) Detection of occult pulmonary metastases
 * 8)    Extra-thoracic malignancies with propensity to involve the lungs (osteogenic sarcoma, breast, RCC)
 * 9) Detection of mediastinal nodes
 * 10)    Lymphoma, mets, infection
 * 11) Distinction of empyema from periph lung abscess (contrast enhanced)
 * 12) Detection and eval aortic disease
 * 13)    Aneurysm, dissection, intramural hematoma, aortitis, trauma

Indications of chest HRCT (High Resolution CT)

 * 1) Solitary pulmonary nodule
 * 2)    Volumetric exam, accurate density determination
 * 3) Detection of lung disease in patient with pulmonary signs and symptoms or abnormal PFT but normal or equivocal CXR
 * 4)    Emphysema, Extrinisic allergic alveolitis, small airway disease, immunocompromised patient
 * 5) Evaluation of diffusely abnormal CXR
 * 6)   Cystic fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, Interstitial lung disease, Histocytosis X, ARDS
 * 7) Approach for biopsy
 * 8)    Bronchoscopy vs. VATS or needle biopsy