Current place of plain-film tomography in chest disease

Plain-film tomography is a quick, accurate, and inexpensive procedure that is valuable for the evaluation of two common problems in chest radiology--the solitary pulmonary nodule and the hilus that is questionably abnormal. An accurate diagnosis can be made in most patients with a solitary pulmonary nodule so that appropriate management can be undertaken. If the diagnosis of an indeterminate nodule is made, further evaluation with computed tomography, transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy, surgery, or careful radiographic follow-up can be suggested. Hilar tomography can determine whether the appearance of the hilus on the chest radiograph is due to prominent but normal vessels, an enlarged pulmonary artery, enlarged hilar lymph nodes, or a pulmonary mass.