[The pulmonary nodule: from incidental finding to pathological confirmation]

As the number of CT examinations of the lungs increases, so does the prevalence of incidentally discovered pulmonary nodules. While most lung nodules are benign, the risk of malignancy significantly rises with the presence of risk factors and specific imaging features. Upon encountering an incidental nodule, efforts should focus on achieving an accurate pathological diagnosis, particularly to ascertain malignancy while minimizing the risks associated with unnecessary diagnostic procedures. A comprehensive understanding of the typical characteristics and behavior of malignant lung nodules, along with a detailed patient history and standardized clinical and imaging risk assessment, is crucial for determining the optimal diagnostic approach. Additionally, the decision regarding histologic confirmation should consider the patient's comorbidities, preferences, and the examiner's expertise. Emerging sampling technologies provide methods for addressing peripheral lung nodules with minimal risk of complications.