Click here to download a slide of this image in PowerPoint format. You do NOT need to request permission if you are reproducing or paraphrasing a table or figure to make slides or handouts for an educational lecture or discussion that is under the auspices of a not-for-profit educational organization. Otherwise, contact healthpermissions{at}elsevier.com for additional information or to make a request.

Click on image to view larger version.


Figure 1


Fig 1. Decision analysis model. Decision tree showing the two treatment choices for evaluating a highly suspicious solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) in which traditional thoracoscopy is not possible because of the location of the nodule. The clinician has two strategies (fltns = decision node); one is to perform a radiotracer-guided thoracoscopic resection (RGTR) or a traditional thoracotomy. The patient may or may not have a successful radiotracer-guided thoracoscopic resection procedure that relates to the probability of success ({circ} = the occurrence of chance events-chance node). Probability of 5-year survival is based on the disease found and the costs of the strategy ((lefttriangle) = terminal node). Estimated probabilities and costs are listed in Table 1.