The typical appearance of a solitary pulmonary nodule with some practical tips:

• there is a differential, but it is lung cancer until proven otherwise

• at 3 cm in size, this is a "mass", not a "nodule" (which measures < 3 cm)

• be sure to check there is only one nodule

• ensure there are no other clues, such as an AP window node

• always check prior imaging - unnecessary anxiety and cost through CT scanning can be avoided if the mass has been there for years and has a benign cause, such as a hamartoma