Evaluation of the safety of short-term follow-up CT for the management of consolidation in lung cancer screening

Question Is short-term interval follow-up CT in lung cancer screening a safe and cost-effective approach to managing indeterminate (inflammatory or malignant) consolidation? Findings Short-interval CT imaging demonstrates spontaneous resolution of consolidation in over 50% participants in this study, whilst persistent consolidation has a high likelihood of malignancy. Clinical relevance Short-interval CT did not result in upstaging of malignancy and therefore can be considered a safe strategy to prevent the over-investigation of screen-detected consolidation, supporting recent European and American screening recommendations.