Subpleural pulmonary nodules

Last revised by Rohit Sharma on 12 Jul 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Weerakkody Y, Sharma R, Luong D, et al. Subpleural pulmonary nodules. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 28 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-83109

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-83109

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/83109

rID:

83109

Article created:

13 Oct 2020, Yuranga Weerakkody ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Yuranga Weerakkody had no recorded disclosures.

View Yuranga Weerakkody's current disclosures

Last revised:

12 Jul 2021, Rohit Sharma ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Rohit Sharma had no recorded disclosures.

View Rohit Sharma's current disclosures

Revisions:

4 times, by 4 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Chest

Synonyms:

Subpleural pulmonary nodule
Sub-pleural pulmonary nodule
Sub-pleural pulmonary nodules

Subpleural pulmonary nodules are a location-based category of pulmonary nodules and are also often considered a type of perilymphatic nodule.

In most cases, they abut the costal pleural surfaces directly, and to a lesser degree the diaphragmatic and mediastinal pleural surfaces. They occur in various shapes and may have broad or narrow contact with the pleura. They can sometimes lie slightly deeper and be connected to the pleura with a pleural tag.

Significance

According to one study, all non-calcified solid nodules attached to the costal pleura less than 10 mm in average diameter, with lentiform, oval, semicircular, or triangular shapes and smooth margins, were proven to be benign. Many authorities usually recommend an annual repeat scan at around 1 year for incidentally detected such nodules¹.

If they are irregular in shape then the approach may be different.