Small pulmonary nodules: dynamic CT with a single-breath technique.

Small pulmonary nodules can be difficult to examine with routine computed tomographic techniques, primarily because of inconsistent levels of inspiration on sequential scans. However, with the patient performing a breathing technique that involves three rapid maximal inspirations and expirations followed by a final maximal inspiration, an average of six images that cover a 12-mm section of lung can be obtained during a single breath. The technique has been used in 10 patients, with encouraging results.