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Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Outcomes, Multidisciplinary cancer care, Cancer, Cost-effectiveness, Computer Applications-Virtual imaging, Comparative studies, Teleradiology, CT-Quantitative, CT, Thorax, Respiratory system, Management
Authors:
S. Higgins1, F. C. Lyall2, J. Taylor3, J. goldman2, S. Rolin2, B. Soar2; 1Torbay/UK, 2Torquay/UK, 3Plymouth/UK
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2016/C-1023
Background
The detection of pulmonary nodules is common.
In populations undergoing CT screening and at high risk of lung cancer nodules are detected in 20-50% of individuals.
The vast majority of these are benign but they require ongoing surveillance to detect early lung cancers [1].
Management and follow up frequently varies particularly when the patient is not being looked after by a chest physician.
Lung nodules do not cause symptoms or abnormal physical signs and as such the value of clinical assessment is limited.
The aim of the virtual lung nodule clinic (VLNC) is to assess the imaging of these patients in a structured manner and advise on further management without the patient being present.
This will save a significant amount of outpatient appointments and MDT time and is also likely to reduce the number of CT examinations requested.
Anecdotally,
there are several centres which run virtual lung nodule clinics (VLNC),
although a literature search revealed only one published audit of 58 patients [2].
They estimated they saved 157 outpatient appointments equating to £11,471 over 2 years.
Here,
we share our experience.