Prevalence and configuration of pulmonary nodules on multi-row CT in children without malignant diseases

To assess the prevalence and morphologic characterization of pulmonary nodules in children on a chest computed tomography (CT).

Two hundred and fifty-nine trauma chest CTs in children aged 0-18 years were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists, each with more than 10 years of experience. Images were acquired on a 64-row CT. Pulmonary lobes with trauma affections such as contusion or haemorrhage were excluded. All pulmonary nodules were evaluated for distance from the pleural surface, location, calcification and size on axial slices.

A total of 1,190/1,295 (92%) pulmonary lobes without traumatic injury were included in this study. In 86 of 259 (33%) patients, 131 pulmonary nodules were detected. Number of nodules per patient ranged from 1 to 4. Calcifications were seen in 19% (25) of all nodules. Diameters ranged from 1 to 5 mm. 59% (77) were located in the lower lobes, 9% (12) in the middle lobe and 32% (42) in the upper lobes. 84% of the non-calcified nodules >2 mm showed a slightly angular or triangular (mostly pleural nodes) shape.

Pulmonary nodules smaller than 5 mm can be detected frequently in children without malignant disease and are predominantly located in the lower lobes.

• Pulmonary nodules in children with trauma CTs were retrospectively analysed • Pulmonary nodules seen on CT are frequent in children without malignant disease • Nodules in this group are more frequent in the lower lobes • No age dependency for the number of pulmonary nodules in children was observed.