According to standards for CT slice thickness, what is the recommended thickness for lung nodules?

The recommended slice thickness for lung nodules is indeed 3 mm. This thickness strikes an optimal balance between image detail and examination time, allowing for the effective visualization of small lesions while minimizing radiation exposure.

Using a slice thickness of 3 mm aids radiologists and physicians in detecting and characterizing lung nodules. Thinner slices may provide better spatial resolution and detail but can also lead to increased noise in the images and higher radiation doses to the patient. Conversely, thicker slices, while reducing the radiation exposure and noise, may obscure or blend together smaller nodules, making them harder to detect. Hence, 3 mm is considered an adequate compromise for routine lung evaluations in computed tomography (CT).

This standard practice is particularly important in the context of lung cancer screening and monitoring to ensure any potential malignancies can be identified early and accurately.