手术前PET-CT对非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断价值

目的探讨术前PET-CT显像对非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断价值。方法选取2011年10月至2012年8月间进行手术根治或纵隔淋巴结活检的25例NSCLC患者。所有患者术前均行PET-CT检查,并根据手术或纵隔镜结果进行诊断及分期,计算PET-CT对诊断纵隔淋巴结的准确性、灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值。结果 25例患者中,纵隔淋巴结阳性率为28.0%。PET-CT对诊断纵隔淋巴结转移的准确性、灵敏度、特异度、阳性和阴性预测值分别为76.0%、57.1%、83.3%、57.1%和83.3%。3例假阴性患者的纵隔最大淋巴结短径分别为1.0、0.9和0.7cm。3例假阳性患者均为炎性增生。结论 PET-CT对NSCLC手术患者纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断灵敏度较低,特异度和阴性预测值较高。因此,PET-CT显示为阳性的纵隔淋巴结,有必要行纵隔镜检查;而阴性者则可不需行纵隔镜检查。     

18F-FDG PET-CT双时相显像对非小细胞肺癌肺门纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断价值

目的 探讨18F-FDG PET-CT双时相显像对非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)肺门、纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断价值.方法 选取经病理确诊拟行手术治疗的NSCLC患者46例,术前行18F-FDG PET-CT常规全身显像和胸部延迟显像,计算标准摄取值(SUV)和储留指数(RI).结果46例患者共切取584枚肺门及纵隔淋巴结,术后病理显示,有31例患者的134枚淋巴结出现转移,而常规显像淋巴结转移为189枚,双时相显像为161枚.双时相显像诊断淋巴结转移的敏感度、特异度、准确度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为94.8%、92.2%、92.8%、78.9%和98.1%,高于常规显像时的指标(87.3%、84.0%、84.8%、61.9%和95.7%).结论 18F-FDG PET-CT双时相显像诊断NSCLC肺门、纵隔淋巴结转移具有较高的敏感度、特异度和准确度,可为NSCLC的诊断、分期和治疗提供更多有价值的信息.     

肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移核素断层显像的病理学基础

目的研究评价99mTc-MIBI SPECT术前诊断肺癌及纵隔转移淋巴结的价值.方法随机选取本院胸外科1997年3月～2000年12月间初诊"肺部阴影待查"患者100例,术前常规检查并加行99mTc-MIBI SPECT检查.男80例,女20例,平均年龄57.61±10.99岁.肺癌手术中规范清扫纵隔各组淋巴结,光学显微镜观察.计算核素断层显像之诊断敏感性,特异性,准确性,阳性预测值,阴性预测值,阳性拟然比、阴性拟然比等指标.对转移淋巴结假阴性显像,配对进行淋巴结图像分析,获取各切片转移癌细胞的面积值(μm2)及其面积百分比.结果 (1)99mTc-MIBI SPECT对支气管肺癌的诊断评价敏感性(93.67%),特异性(61.90%),准确性(87.00%),阳性预测值(90.24%),阴性预测值(72.22%),阳性拟然比(2.47)及阴性拟然比(0.10).(2)99mTc-MIBI SPECT对纵隔转移淋巴结的诊断评价敏感性(85 19%),特异性(93.62%),准确性(90.54%),阳性预测值(85.19%),阴性预测值(93.62%),阳性拟然比(13.28)及阴性拟然比(13.28)及阴性拟然比(0.16).(3)淋巴结图像分析显示淋巴结中转移癌细胞的数量同显像与否既有一定联系又非密切相关,淋巴结癌细胞数量(面积)并不是其显像与否的唯一因素.结论本组显示了SPECT在肺癌诊断鉴别和纵隔转移淋巴结预测上的独特价值,为外科手术中定向摘除淋巴结提供了定性和定量的方法.     

纵隔镜检查术在PET/CT纵隔淋巴结阳性的非小细胞肺癌中的应用北大核心CSCD

目的探讨纵隔镜检查术在纵隔或肺门淋巴结PET/CT(positron emission tomography-computed tomography)代谢阳性的非小细胞肺癌中(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)的应用价值。方法回顾性分析纵隔镜检查术前PET/CT纵隔或肺门淋巴结异常的NSCLC病例,以病理结果为标准,计算纵隔镜检查术诊断纵隔淋巴结转移的敏感度、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和准确率以及PET/CT的假阳性率。结果 2007年4月—2011年12月期间,73例患者符合条件。纵隔镜检查术诊断纵隔淋巴结转移的敏感度、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和准确率分别为91.3%、100%、100%、87.1%和94.5%。PET/CT诊断纵隔淋巴结转移的假阳性率高达30.8%。如果将非巨块型纵隔淋巴结代谢升高且双侧肺门淋巴结代谢升高定义为纵隔淋巴结阴性,其阳性预测值升高至81.1%。结论在PET/CT纵隔或者肺门淋巴结代谢升高的NSCLC,纵隔镜检查术诊断纵隔淋巴结转移的敏感度和特异性高。对PET/CT代谢阳性的纵隔淋巴结需要病理确认,特别是合并双侧肺门对侧性代谢增高的纵隔淋巴结。     

~(18)F-FDG PET-CT与强化CT对非小细胞肺癌区域淋巴结诊断价值的评价

目的 探讨~(18)F-脱氧葡萄糖(FDG)PET-CT与强化CT对非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)区域淋巴结的诊断价值.方法 随机选择手术治疗的NSCLC患者122例,术前2周内行PET-CT检查,同期行CT强化扫描,根据术后病理检查结果,评价PET-CT和CT诊断NSCLC区域淋巴结的价值.结果 PET-CT能对80.3%NSCLC患者的区域淋巴结正确分期,13.1%的患者分期过度,6.6%的患者分期过低,而CT分别为55.8%、26.2%和18.0%.PET-CT对NSCLC区域淋巴结诊断的敏感度、特异度和准确率分别为86.3%、85.0%和85.3%,CT分别为68.6%、71.0%和70.4%,二者差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).PET-CT能纠正CT出现的81.3%的假阴性和71.6%的假阳性淋巴结,CT能纠正PET-CT出现的57.1%的假阴性和45.2%的假阳性淋巴结.5.9%的病理阳性淋巴结内存在微小的癌灶且短径<10 mm,被PET-CT和CT均诊断为假阴性;8.2%的病理阴性淋巴结短径>10 mm(隆突下淋巴结>15 mm),存在炎症及高的FDG摄取,被PET-CT和CT均诊断为假阳性,这些淋巴结是二者共同的盲点.结论 与强化CT相比,PET-CT能提高NSCLC区域淋巴结诊断的准确率,并能纠正CT出现的假阳性和假阴性错误.CT对PET-CT也是一个有益的补充,二者联合应用能相互弥补在NSCLC区域淋巴结诊断中的不足.     

螺旋CT对非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期的诊断价值

目的：评价螺旋CT对非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期的诊断价值。方法：对89例病理确诊NSCLC的患者进行CT纵隔淋巴结分期，并同淋巴结最后病理分期做一一对照。结果：CT对纵隔淋巴结转移总的敏感性为58．9％，特异性为70．o％，阳性预测值60．5％，阴性预测值68．6％，总的准确率为65-2％。CT对4R、5、6,7组淋巴结的准确率和特异性偏低。4R组和7组淋巴结的假阳性和假阴性较高。结论：CT是评价肺癌患者纵隔淋巴结转移的重要检查手段，能提供有效的纵隔淋巴结转移信息，但存在一定的假阳性和假阴性，应结合其他检查手段达到更精确的分期。     

符合线路SPECT/低剂量CT 18F-FDG显像在肺肿瘤术前诊断中的应用

目的评价带有低剂量定位CT系统的SPECT对肺癌诊断和非小细胞性肺癌（NSCLC）纵隔淋巴结转移诊断的临床价值。方法使用GE-Millennium VG with Hawkeye成像仪对高分辨CT不能确诊的48例可疑肺癌患者进行了^18F—FDG符合线路显像,将显像结果与术后病理诊断进行比较,评价其对肺部原发肿瘤良、恶性鉴别诊断的价值;同时,对24例NSCLC患者术中摘取的74个淋巴结在相应淋巴结区内进行^18F—FDG符合线路显像与病理诊断之间的病灶与病灶对比,评价其对淋巴结转移诊断的临床价值。结果^18F—FDG符合线路显像显示,有40例患者出现了肺部异常FDG摄取情况。根据形态及核素摄取特征,^18F—FDG符合线路显像正确检出恶性病变34例,排除恶性病变6例,出现假阳性6例和假阴性2例,对原发肺癌诊断的灵敏度、特异性和准确性分别为94．4％、50．0％和83．3％;同时,在4例患者中检出了CT未发现的、发生于肾上腺和骨的肺外转移。恶性肿瘤对FDG的摄取明显高于良性肿瘤,且鳞癌高于腺癌。在NSCLC纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断中,淋巴结区与淋巴结区的对比显示,^18F—FDG符合线路显像对纵隔淋巴结转移诊断的灵敏度、特异性和准确性分别为57．9％、90．9％和82．4％;而影像诊断与临床诊断之间的比较显示,其诊断的灵敏度、特异性和准确性分别为61、5％、81、8％和70．8％。结论使用带有低剂量定位CT系统的SPECT行^18F—FDG显像,对肺部肿瘤的良、恶性鉴别诊断及肺外转移病灶的检出具有较高的诊断价值,但在对NSCLC患者的临床分期上其应用价值有限。     

实时超声支气管镜引导下经支气管针吸活检术对肺癌的诊断作用

评价实时超声支气管镜引导下的经支气管针吸活检术（EBUS-TBNA）对肺癌的诊断价值。方法:回顾分析中山大学肿瘤防治中心2010年8月至2011年2月期间,46例经胸部CT或PET-CT检查显示为纵隔和/或肺门淋巴结肿大和/或胸内气管旁肿块（≥1 cm）的患者行EBUS-TBNA的资料（其中临床拟诊为肺癌并肺门和/或纵隔淋巴结转移25例,纵隔和/或肺门不明原因淋巴结肿大21例）,统计实时EBUS-TBNA在肺癌诊断中的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值及诊断率。结果:46例患者中,其中经病理学检查确诊为肺癌患者38例,淋巴结结核3例,淋巴结炎3例,结节病1例,淋巴瘤1例。46例患者中,经EBUS-TBNA诊断为肺癌34例,淋巴结核2例,淋巴结炎3例,结节病1例。38例肺癌患者共穿刺48组淋巴结,1例气管旁肿物,其中经EBUS-TBNA诊断为肺癌34例,假阴性4例,敏感性为89.5%,特异性为100%,阳性预测值为100%,阴性预测值为66.7%,诊断率为87.0%。EBUS-TBNA过程安全,全部病例无严重并发症发生,仅1例一过性发热。结论:实时EBUS-TBNA,并发症少,可在门诊进行,且诊断率、敏感性及阴性预测值高,是诊断肺癌安全、有效的方法。当常规支气管镜未能取到阳性病理结果时,亦可尝试通过对肺门或纵隔淋巴结或肺内肿块行EBUS-TBNA来诊断。      

18F-FDG符合线路SPECT/CT显像在诊断肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移中的价值

目的:探讨18氟-脱氧葡萄糖（18F-FDG）符合线路SPECT/CT显像在诊断肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移中价值。方法:回顾性研究我院2013年1月至2014年11月确诊为肺癌的100例患者,肿瘤分型鳞癌患者14例、腺癌患者70例、大细胞癌5例及其他类型的15例,运用18F-FDG符合线路对患者的纵隔淋巴结的诊断结果分类,包括阴性组70例、阳性组30例。参照肺癌术后的病理学诊断标准,评价18F-FDG符合线路SPECT/CT显像在肺癌中的诊断价值,分析假阴性和假阳性患者各项危险因素指标之间的差异性。结果:18F-FDG符合线路SPECT/CT显像在诊断肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移中具有较高的特异性、敏感性,其阳性预测值为78%,阴性预测值为83%,假阴性组的原发灶T/N比值(7.21±3.52)、淋巴结短径(6.58±2.12)mm,小于真阳性组［(9.58±4.53）、（10.02±2.89)mm］;假阳性组伴有局限性肺炎（n=8）、慢性支气管炎或肺气肿（n=13）的多于真阳性组（n=2、4）。结论:18F-FDG符合线路SPECT/CT显像是诊断肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移的重要手段,假阴性的发生与原发灶T/N 比值、淋巴结短径短小具有相关性,假阳性淋巴结与局限性肺炎、慢支炎肺气肿具有相关性。     

非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期:螺旋CT和病理检查对照

背景与目的:非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期对肿瘤的规范化治疗方案的选择和预后判断具有极其重要的意义。本研究旨在通过比较螺旋CT和病理检查对非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期的结果,评价螺旋CT检查对纵隔淋巴结分期的临床参考价值。方法:对89例病理确诊的非小细胞肺癌患者同时进行螺旋CT检查和纵隔镜检查,将CT对纵隔淋巴结分期结果与淋巴结最后病理分期做一一对照,对比分析螺旋CT检查诊断纵隔淋巴结转移的敏感性、特异性和准确率。结果:与纵隔淋巴结最后病理分期一一对照,螺旋CT检查诊断纵隔淋巴结转移的敏感性为58.9%,特异性为70.0%,阳性预测值60.5%,阴性预测值68.6%,总的准确率为65.2%。螺旋CT检查诊断4R、5、6、7组淋巴结转移的准确率和特异性偏低,诊断4R组和7组淋巴结转移的假阳性和假阴性较高。结论:螺旋CT检查对非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结临床分期有一定的临床参考价值,但存在一定的假阳性和假阴性,应结合其他检查手段,比如纵隔镜,以进行更精确的分期。     

Mediastinal lymph node staging by means of positron emission tomography is less sensitive in elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: We sought to identify the impact of age on the sensitivity and specificity of integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT; CT) on mediastinal lymph node staging of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 206 consecutive patients with histologically proven NSCLC who underwent resection and/or mediastinoscopy in our center between September 2004 and January 2007. All of these patients had preoperative staging with integrated PET-CT as an adjunct to chest CT before resection and/or mediastinoscopy. Diabetic patients and patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. The pathologic results of all of these cases were reviewed and correlated with those on CT and integrated PET-CT. RESULTS: The sensitivity and positive predictive values (PPV) of PET-CT in mediastinal nodal staging were significantly lower in elderly patients (age>or=65 years; sensitivity, 42%; PPV, 66%) than in younger patients (age<65 years; sensitivity, 52%; PPV, 74%). Specificity and negative predictive values were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: PET-CT staging of the mediastinum is less sensitive in elderly patients with NSCLC who have a lower PPV. Positive mediastinal uptake on PET-CT should be verified by mediastinoscopy, irrespective of age. Elderly patients with positive mediastinal uptake should not be refuted a curative intent surgical resection on the basis of positive mediastinal uptake alone.     

18F-FDG PET-CT在非小细胞肺癌术前区域淋巴结分期中的价值

目的 探讨18F-FDG PET-CT在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者术前区域淋巴结(N)分期方面的价值,以及CT密度和双时相扫描在淋巴结性质判定方面的作用.方法 43例手术病理证实的NSCLC患者均于术前行18F-FDG PET-CT扫描,对常规扫描图像采用PET法(单纯根据18F-FDG摄取水平判断淋巴结性质)和PET+CT密度法(结合CT密度和摄取水平判断淋巴结性质)分析.摄取水平通过目测法和半定量分析法结合判定.双时相扫描的储留指数(RI)>10%为摄取升高.以病理检查作为金标准对所得结果进行分析.结果 以区域淋巴结组为单位,PET法的诊断敏感度、特异度、准确度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为88.0%、88.4%、88.3%、59.5%和97.4%,PET+CT密度法的相应值分别为84.0%、94.6%、92.9%、75.0%和96.8%,其中2种方法的特异度和准确度之间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).28组淋巴结行双时相扫描,良恶性组摄取变化值(△SUVmax)之间和砒之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);在23组延迟相摄取升高的淋巴结中,11组为转移;在5组无摄取升高的淋巴结中,1组为转移.结论 18F-FDG PET-CT在肺癌患者术前N分期方面有较高的诊断价值,结合淋巴结CT密度和18F-FDG摄取水平可进一步提高诊断的特异度和准确度.对于常规相摄取增高的淋巴结,延迟相摄取升高对判断淋巴结性质的价值有限,但无摄取升高则更支持良性诊断.     

氟脱氧葡萄糖PET-CT对非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断价值

目的　通过对非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者纵隔淋巴结术前氟脱氧葡萄糖(18FDG)PET -CT检查和术后病理结果比较,探讨18FDGPET- CT在判断NSCLC纵隔淋巴结转移(淋巴结短径<10mm)方面的作用与价值。方法　12例经病理确诊的NSCLC患者术前行18FDGPET- CT检查,详细记录纵隔淋巴结转移情况,主要探讨短径<10mm的纵隔淋巴结转移情况。术后病理结果作为金标准对纵隔淋巴结转移情况进行验证。可以做分析的淋巴结共有76个。结果　76个淋巴结中,病理证实为阳性6个,病理证实为阴性的70个。PET- CT共检出5个真阳性、6 7个真阴性、3个假阳性、1个假阴性淋巴结。PET CT的敏感性为83.3% ,特异性为95 .7% ,准确性为94 .7%。阳性预测值为6 2 .5 % ,阴性预测值为98.6 %。结论　18FDGPET CT对短径<10mm的纵隔淋巴结是否转移的判断是准确和可信的,对NSCLC患者治疗方案的制订有较高的临床价值。     

Negative predictive value of positron emission tomography and computed tomography for stage T1-2N0 non-small-cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis

BackgroundNodal staging of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is crucial in evaluation of prognosis and determination of therapeutic strategy. This study aimed to determine the negative predictive value (NPV) of combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) in patients with stage I (T1-2N0) NSCLC and to investigate the possible risk factors for occult nodal disease.MethodsStudies investigating the performance of PET in conjunction with CT in the nodal staging of stage I NSCLC were identified in the MEDLINE database. The initiative of standards for reporting of diagnostic accuracy (STARD) was used to ensure study quality. Pathologic assessments through mediastinoscopy or thoracotomy were required as the reference standard for evaluation of PET-CT accuracy. Stata-based meta-analysis was applied to calculate the individual and pooled NPVs.ResultsTen studies with a total of 1122 patients with stage I (T1-2N0) NSCLC were eligible for analysis. The NPVs of combined PET and CT for mediastinal metastases were 0.94 in T1 disease and 0.89 in T2 disease. Including both T1 disease and T2 disease, the NPVs were 0.93 for mediastinal metastases and 0.87 for overall nodal metastases. Adenocarcinoma histology type (risk ratio [RR], 2.72) and high fluorine-18 (¹⁸F) fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the primary lesion were associated with greater risk of occult nodal metastases.ConclusionsAlthough overall occult nodal metastases in clinical stage T1-2N0 NSCLC is not infrequent, combined PET and CT provide a favorable NPV for mediastinal metastases in T1N0 NSCLC, suggesting a low yield from routine invasive staging procedures for this subgroup of patients.     

非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期诊断研究进展

目的 肺癌是全球死亡率最高的恶性肿瘤之一,其中80％是非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC).本研究回顾总结国内外NSCLC纵隔淋巴结分期诊断的研究进展,为临床采取合适的检查方法及治疗方案提供一定指导.方法 应用PubMed、中国知网、万方数据库、维普中文期刊服务平台等检索系统,以“NSCLC、术前、纵隔淋巴结分期、电子发射计算机体层显像-X线计算机体层(integrated positron emission tomography-computed tomography,PET-CT)、计算机断层成像(computed tomography,CT)、磁共振成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)、纵隔镜、针吸活检术”为关键词,检索2000-07-27-2016-03-05相关文献,纳入标准:(1) NSCLC纵隔淋巴结的有创性外科检查方法;(2) NSCLC纵膈淋巴结的无创性影像学检查方法.结果 根据纳入标准纳入分析40篇相关文献.总结出无创性影像学分期、有创性外科分期各检查的优缺点、灵敏度、特异度、准确度、假阳性率、假阴性率及临床应用情况.NSCLC纵隔淋巴结检查方法中,CT对纵隔淋巴结分期的灵敏度(61.1％)及特异性(71.1％)均较低;脱氧葡萄糖(fluorodeox-yglucose,FDG)PET-CT灵敏度和特异度分别是64％和83.3％,但其价格昂贵;磁共振扩散加权成像诊断NSCLC纵隔淋巴结转移的效能优于FDG PET-CT;纵隔镜灵敏度和特异度分别是78％和100％,存在一定的并发症(2％)和死亡率(0.08％);支气管内镜超声引导针吸活检操作方便,其灵敏度和特异度分别是92％和100％,不能取检主动脉旁及下纵隔淋巴结.结论 CT已作为评估NSCLC纵隔淋巴结分期的常规检查;FDG PET-CT是最准确的无创性检查方法;纵隔镜是目前诊断纵隔淋巴结分期的金标准,未来的趋势是各技术整合、优势互补以达到更准确的NSCLC纵隔分期.     

Lymph node staging by means of positron emission tomography is less accurate in non-small cell lung cancer patients with enlarged lymph nodes: analysis of 1,145 lymph nodes

BACKGROUND: Despite documented superiority of integrated positron emission tomography-computerized tomography (PET-CT) over computerized tomography (CT) in lymph node staging in non-small cell lung cancer, little is known about the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of integrated PET-CT among enlarged lymph nodes. We sought to assess if PET-CT is uniformly accurate among enlarged and non-enlarged lymph nodes. METHODS: A retrospective review of 206 consecutive patients with histologically proven non-small cell lung cancer who underwent resection and/or mediastinoscopy in our centre over 30 months period was carried out. All these patients had pre-operative staging with integrated PET-CT as an adjunct to chest CT prior to resection and/or mediastinoscopy. Diabetic patients (BM>or=8.0 mmol/l) and those who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. The pathological results of all these cases were reviewed and correlated with those on CT and integrated PET-CT. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values were higher in integrated PET-CT than CT alone in all lymph nodes, whether N1 or N2. When lymph nodes were stratified by size, the sensitivity of PET-CT was significantly higher among enlarged (>1cm) than non-enlarged (1cm) should be with caution as the specificity of PET-CT is lower and its ability to detect truly negative nodes become reduced. NSCLC patients with enlarged nodes by CT criteria who are PET-CT negative may require cervical mediastinoscopy to rule out metastatic spread to these nodes. Prospective studies are warranted.     

Mediastinal nodal staging of nonsmall cell lung cancer using integrated 18F-FDG PET/CT in a tuberculosis-endemic country: diagnostic efficacy in 674 patients

BACKGROUND: Integrated (18)fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has shown somewhat variable sensitivity and specificity for mediastinal nodal staging in granulomatous disease endemic areas. The purpose of the study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of PET/CT for mediastinal nodal staging in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in a tuberculosis-endemic country. METHODS: Prospective assessment of the diagnostic efficacy of integrated PET/CT for detecting mediastinal nodal metastasis was performed in 674 patients (M:F ratio = 502:172; mean age, 61 years) with NSCLC. Patients underwent an integrated PET/CT examination and subsequent surgical nodal staging (by mediastinoscopy only in 121 patients and by thoracotomy in 553). Nodes showing greater (18)F-FDG uptake than mediastinum at PET without benign calcification or high attenuation >70 household unit (HU) at unenhanced CT were regarded as being positive for malignancy. The histologic nodal assessment results were used as reference standards. RESULTS: Of 2477 mediastinal nodal stations evaluated in 674 patients, 275 (11%) stations in 180 (27%) patients proved to be malignant. On a per-person basis, the overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of PET/CT for mediastinal nodal staging were 61% (110 of 180), 96% (473 of 494), and 86% (583 of 674), respectively. On a per-nodal station basis, they were 46% (126 of 275), 98% (2154 of 2202), and 92% (2280 of 2477). CONCLUSIONS: Integrated PET/CT provides high specificity and reasonably high accuracy, but somewhat low sensitivity for mediastinal nodal staging of NSCLCs. The high specificity is achieved at the expense of sensitivity by interpreting calcified nodes or nodes with high attenuation at CT, even with high FDG uptake at PET, as benign in a tuberculosis-endemic region.