Diffuse pulmonary nodules are usually seen as multiple pulmonary nodular opacifications on a HRCT chest scan. They can signify disease processes affecting either the interstitium or the airspace. They can range from a few millimeters to up to 1 cm and when very small and numerous there can be some overlap with the term miliary nodules. They can arise from a vast number of pathological entities.
Differential diagnosis
Differentials to be considered include:
respiratory bronchiolitis (infective or non-infective)
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other forms of infection
tuberculosis: bronchogenic disseminated tuberculosis 2
non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection
fungal infections such as forms of aspergillus infection
septic emboli from infective endocarditis or infected tube
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malignant entities
nodular metastases
forms of pulmonary lymphoma
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other miscellaneous conditions