Chest Wall Anomaly Presenting as Pulmonary Nodule

Slow-growing pulmonary nodules, particularly those that appear subpleural, can represent a challenge for diagnosis as well as for clinical management. We present a case of a current smoker with a very slowly growing, indeterminate 8-mm peripheral nodule that was suggestive of an adenocarcinoma-spectrum lesion. Intraoperatively, bone spurs coming off the ribs posteriorly were noted and suspected to be the source of the computed tomography findings. No lung parenchyma was resected, and instead the bone spurs were removed. Postoperative imaging confirmed elimination of the "pulmonary nodule." Surgeons should be aware that these lesions can mimic peripheral lung nodules.