SPN

Medical abbreviation · Respiratory

SPN
Stands forSolitary pulmonary nodule
CategoriesMedical

SPN stands for Solitary pulmonary nodule, a respiratory abbreviation.

Single round opacity in the lung measuring 3 cm or less, surrounded by normal lung, with no associated collapse or enlarged lymph nodes. Most are benign, such as healed granulomas, but some are early lung cancers.

Example: Incidental 9 mm solid SPN in a former smoker; Fleischner criteria suggest CT at 3 months or PET-CT.

Usage notes

Management of incidental nodules follows the Fleischner Society guidelines (updated 2017), based on size, appearance and risk factors, while screen-detected nodules are reported with Lung-RADS. Risk calculators such as the Brock and Mayo Clinic models estimate cancer probability. Lesions larger than 3 cm are called masses and are more likely malignant.

More respiratory abbreviations

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  • SBT – Spontaneous breathing trial
  • SDB – Sleep-disordered breathing
  • SIMV – Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation
  • SOBOE – Shortness of breath on exertion
  • TLC – Total lung capacity
  • trach – Tracheostomy
  • UIP – Usual interstitial pneumonia
  • URI – Upper respiratory infection
  • URTI – Upper respiratory tract infection
  • V/Q – Ventilation-perfusion ratio

See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.