Question

A 64-year-old man with a long history of smoking presents with chronic cough, weight loss and haemoptysis. A chest X-ray shows a 4 cm mass in the right upper lobe. What is the most appropriate next investigation to obtain a tissue diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy or bronchoscopy depending on lesion location

Answer

Sputum culture

Answer

Routine spirometry only

Answer

Abdominal ultrasound

Answer

Empirical trial of antibiotics for 6 weeks before further imaging

Practice question

A 64-year-old man with a long history of smoking presents with chronic cough, weight loss and haemoptysis. A chest X-ray shows a 4 cm mass in the right upper lobe. What is the most appropriate next investigation to obtain a tissue diagnosis?