Fludeoxyglucose F 18-PET/CT Scans in Patients Receiving Ultra Short-Term Dexamethasone For Lung Nodules

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Presence of ≥ 1 measurable pulmonary nodule (1.0-3.0 cm) suggestive of malignancy or chronic inflammatory process on positron emission tomography (PET) scan * No lesions consistent with malignancy or inflammation according to history, PET findings, or biopsy * Baseline scan average time between injection and start of scan within 50-70 min * Mean liver standardized uptake value (SUV) of baseline scan normal * No sign of significant partial paravenous tracer administration in the images of baseline scan * No lung nodule(s) suggestive of lymphoma * No lung lesions suggestive of tuberculosis PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Blood glucose levels ≤ 150 mg/100 mL * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Able to tolerate PET/CT imaging * No history of diabetes * No poorly controlled hypertension * No prior malignancy other than basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, carcinoma in situ, or other cancer from which the participant has been disease free for \< 3 years * No active malignancy within the past 5 years PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * More than 5 years since prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy * No concurrent steroids