re = /(?:((?<!previously measured\s)\d+.\d+\s*mm)(?:[^.?!\n]*?)?nodule|nodule(?:[^.?!\n]*?((?<!previously measured\s)\d+.\d+\s*mm))?)/i
str = 'For example, the largest nodule which is located in the right lower lobe and currently measures 4.4 mm (image #82, series 3) previously measured 3.6 mm on 09/01/2011."
In this case, I would like the regex to hit on 4.4 mm not 3.6 mm. Furthermore, if multiple hits are found I would like to only keep the largest size found. For example,
"For example, the largest nodule which is located in the right lower lobe and currently measures 4.4 mm (image #82, series 3) previously measured 3.6 mm on 09/01/2011. Another nodule was found measuring 2.2 mm. the 2.4 mm had another nodule. The last nodule, previously measured 4.6 mm, now is 4.5 mm'
# Print the match result
str.scan(re) do |match|
puts match.to_s
end
Please keep in mind that these code samples are automatically generated and are not guaranteed to work. If you find any syntax errors, feel free to submit a bug report. For a full regex reference for Ruby, please visit: http://ruby-doc.org/core-2.2.0/Regexp.html