Decision-tree analysis for cost-effective management of solitary pulmonary nodules in China

Figure 2 Ratio of the patients who undergo unnecessary surgery for a benign solitary pulmonary nodule and in whom lung cancer is misdiagnosed as a benign nodule. The strategies using CT + DWI + PET and CT + ACNB dramatically decrease the ratio of the patients who undergo unnecessary surgery for a benign SPN, although the ratio of cancer which is missed at diagnosis is increased. PET: Positron emission tomography; CT: Computed tomography; DWI: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging; SPN: Solitary pulmonary nodule; ACNB: Automated cutting needle biopsy.