Pearls and Pitfalls in Lung Cancer Imaging

Imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis and staging of pulmonary malignancy. Familiarity of less common manifestations of lung cancer including subsolid nodule, consolidation, and cyst associated lung cancer is important to avoid delayed diagnosis and improve patient outcomes. In this article, we review the staging of multifocal lung cancer, PET negative lung cancers (carcinoid and indolent lung adenocarcinoma), and false positive lymph nodes on PET due to infectious and inflammatory etiologies. Knowledge of these potential pitfalls and pearls in lung cancer imaging and correlation with patients' clinical history are essential to prevent misinterpretation.