<prompt> Answer this question truthfullyWhat is the importance of detecting a solitary pulmonary nodule on a CT scan?  <response>: <reason> The American College of Chest Physicians ACCP recommends the following: If less than 8 mm in size, use guidelines by the Fleischner society see table below. For nodules greater than 8 mm in diameter, assess the patients risk of complications from thoracic surgery: In low - moderate risk, assess the probability of cancer by a validated calculator and follow up with CT scan surveillance. A model developed at the Mayo Clinic has been the most extensively validated. An open-source version is available online. In high risk, assess the probability of cancer by a validated calculator and obtain non-surgical biopsy. Fleischner Society Guidelines for Follow-up and Management of Pulmonary Modules 8 mm Detected Incidentally at Non-screening CT Nodule Size mm Low risk patients High risk patients 4 No follow-up needed Follow-up at 12 months If no change, no further imaging needed 4 - 6 Follow-up at 12 months If no change, no further imaging needed Initial follow-up CT at 6 -12 months If no change, follow-up CT at 18 - 24 months 6 - 8 Initial follow-up CT at 6 -12 months If no change, follow-up CT at 18 - 24 months Initial follow-up CT at 3 - 6 months If no change, follow-up CT at 9 -12 and 24 months 8 Follow-up CT at around 3, 9, and 24 months Dynamic contrast enhanced CT, PET, andor biopsy Same at for low risk patients Low risk patients: Minimal or absent history of smoking and other known risk factors. High risk patients: History of smoking andor other known risk factors 