Differential Diagnosis for a 3mm Nodule
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Benign granuloma: This is the most common cause of small pulmonary nodules, often resulting from healed infections or inflammations. A 3mm size is more suggestive of a benign process due to its small size.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Hamartoma: A benign lung tumor that can present as a small nodule. While less common than granulomas, hamartomas are still a frequent cause of small nodules.
- Intrapulmonary lymph node: These can appear as small nodules, especially if they are located near the lung periphery or along the bronchovascular bundles.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Small cell lung cancer: Although less likely due to the nodule's small size, any lung nodule has the potential to be malignant. Small cell lung cancer is aggressive and requires early detection.
- Metastasis: In patients with a history of cancer, even small nodules can represent metastatic disease, which significantly alters management and prognosis.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (AVM): These are abnormal connections between veins and arteries in the lung and can appear as small nodules, but they are relatively rare.
- Bronchial adenoma: A rare, benign tumor of the mucous glands or bronchial walls, which can present as a small nodule but is less common than other causes.