Transthoracic needle biopsy using a C-arm cone-beam CT system: diagnostic accuracy and safety

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and safety of performing transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB) under combined fluoroscopy and CT guidance using a C-arm cone-beam CT (CBCT) system.

Methods

We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and safety of performing TNB using a C-arm CBCT system. We retrospectively evaluated 99 TNB cases performed in 98 patients using a C-arm CBCT system with an 18-gauge automated cutting needle. We reviewed the diagnostic accuracy according to the size and depth of the lesion, incidence of complications, additional treatment for complications, procedure time, number of needle passes per biopsy and radiation dose.

Results

The final diagnoses revealed 72 malignant and 27 benign lesions. The overall malignancy sensitivity, malignancy specificity and diagnostic accuracy were 95.8%, 100% and 97.0%, respectively, and those for small pulmonary nodules <20 mm in size were 94.1%, 100% and 96.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the correct diagnosis of malignancy according to lesion size (p=0.634) or depth (p=0.542). For benign lesions, a specific diagnosis was obtained in 14 cases (51.9%). TNB induced complications in 19 out of 99 procedures (19.2%), including pneumothorax (16.2%), immediate haemoptysis (2.0%) and subcutaneous emphysema (1.0%). Among these, four patients with pneumothorax required chest tube insertion (2.0%) or pig-tail catheter drainage (2.0%). The mean procedure time, number of needle passes and radiation doses were 11.9±4.0 min, 1.2±0.5 times and 170.0±67.2 mGy, respectively.

Conclusion

TNB using a C-arm CBCT system provides high diagnostic accuracy with a low complication rate and a short procedure time, particularly for small pulmonary nodules.Transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB) under image guidance is a well-known procedure for evaluating thoracic mass lesions, with a high diagnostic accuracy and a relatively low complication rate [1-5]. TNB can be performed under various types of image guidance, including fluoroscopy, CT and ultrasonography. The decision regarding which technique to use usually depends on the characteristics of the pulmonary lesions, such as size, location, the radiologist''s preference and the accessibility of imaging systems.Currently, CT or CT fluoroscopy is the most preferred method of image guidance for TNB. CT fluoroscopy provides real-time guidance of the biopsy needle in addition to the advantages of CT guidance, decreasing the procedure time and number of needle passes compared with CT-guided procedures [1]. However, significant radiation exposure to the operator''s hands is one limitation of this procedure.The C-arm cone-beam CT (CBCT) system is a form of flat-panel volume CT in which a cone-beam X-ray tube and a flat-panel detector are integrated within a C-arm gantry. This provides both CT and real-time fluoroscopic guidance for TNB [6].The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and safety of performing TNB under combined fluoroscopy and CT guidance using a C-arm CBCT system.     

CT-Guided Core Needle Biopsy of Pleural Lesions: Evaluating Diagnostic Yield and Associated Complications

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and complications of CT-guided core needle biopsy (CT-guided CNB) of pleural lesion and the possible effects of influencing factors.ResultsDiagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 89.2%, 86.1%, 100%, 100%, and 67.8%, respectively. The influencing factors had no significant effect in altering diagnostic accuracy. As far as complications were concerned, occurrence of pneumothorax was observed in 14 (16%) out of 88 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed lesion size/pleural thickening as a significant risk factor (odds ratio [OR]: 8.744, p = 0.005) for occurrence of pneumothorax. Moreover, presence of pleural effusion was noted as a significant protective factor (OR: 0.171, p = 0.037) for pneumothorax.ConclusionCT-guided CNB of pleural lesion is a safe procedure with high diagnostic yield and low risk of significant complications.     

Diagnostic accuracy and complication rates of percutaneous CT-guided coaxial needle biopsy of pulmonary lesions

PURPOSEThe aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate and compare diagnostic accuracy and complication rates of percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsies of pulmonary lesions 10–35 mm, 35–50 mm, and >50 mm, using the coaxial biopsy technique.METHODSOver a 4-year period, 235 lung biopsies were performed using the coaxial biopsy technique with 18G semi-automated true-cut needle. There were 163 (69.4%) male and 72 (30.6%) female patients, with a mean age of 64.01±9.18 years (18–85 years). The mean lesion size was 59.6±29.3 mm. The lesions were stratified into three groups according to size: lesions <35 mm (n=42, 17.9%), lesions 35–50 mm (n=53, 22.5%), and lesions >50 mm (n=140, 59.6%). Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for all biopsies, and for each group separately, as well as the incidence of complications.RESULTSThe overall diagnostic accuracy was 95.4%, with 95.52% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% PPV, and 47.37% NPV. For lesions <35 mm, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and PPV were 100%. The lowest diagnostic accuracy was 93.9% in lesions >50 mm, with 93.65% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% PPV, and 42.86% NPV. An adequate sample was obtained in 219 core biopsies (93.2%), while 16 biopsies (6.8%) were nondiagnostic due to necrosis (4.25%) and insufficient biopsy material (2.55%). The most frequent complication was minor pneumothorax, which was seen at a rate of 19.1%; pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement occurred in 3 patients (1.3%).CONCLUSIONDiagnostic accuracy decreased with increasing lesion size. On the other hand, complication rates were higher in smaller lesions, more distanced from the pleura.

Computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous needle biopsy is a well-established method in the diagnostic algorithm of various pulmonary lesions, with two types of biopsy techniques employed, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and core biopsy (CB). Both techniques yield high diagnostic accuracy for carcinomas, from 89% in FNAB to 98% in CB (1). Coaxial biopsy technique has a reported overall diagnostic accuracy for both malignant and benign lesions ranging from 82.6% to 95% (2–4).Besides the needle type, other factors such as lesion size, nature of the lesion, experience and skills of interventional radiologist influence the diagnostic accuracy. Lesion size ≥1 cm is reported as a significant risk factor decreasing diagnostic accuracy, but in published data lesions >5 cm and even ≥3.1 cm, are also identified as factors that decrease the diagnostic accuracy mainly due to the higher rates of necrosis (4, 5).The most frequent complication in lung biopsy is pneumothorax, with the reported pooled rate 25.3% for CB and 18.8% for FNAB (6).The aim of this retrospective single-center study was to determine diagnostic accuracy and complication rates of percutaneous CT-guided coaxial lung biopsies of pulmonary lesions stratified by lesion size into <35 mm, 30–50 mm, and >50 mm lesions, as well as to identify the relevant risk factors.     

Cone-Beam CT-Guided Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Lung Biopsy of Juxtaphrenic Lesions: Diagnostic Accuracy and Complications

ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic accuracy and complications of cone-beam CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) of juxtaphrenic lesions and identify the risk factors for diagnostic failure and complications.Materials and MethodsIn total, 336 PTNB procedures for lung lesions (mean size ± standard deviation [SD], 4.3 ± 2.3 cm) abutting the diaphragm in 326 patients (189 male and 137 female; mean age ± SD, 65.2 ± 11.4 years) performed between January 2010 and December 2014 were included. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the PTNB procedures for the diagnosis of malignancy were measured based on the intention-to-diagnose principle. The risk factors for diagnostic failures and complications were evaluated using logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 92.7% (293/316), 91.3% (219/240), 91.4% (74/81), 96.9% (219/226), and 77.9% (74/95), respectively. There were 23 diagnostic failures (7.3%), and lesion sizes ≤ 2 cm (p = 0.045) were the only significant risk factors for diagnostic failure. Complications occurred in 98 cases (29.2%), including 89 cases of pneumothorax (26.5%) and 7 cases of hemoptysis (2.1%). The multivariable analysis showed that old age (> 65 years) (p = 0.002), lesion size of ≤ 2 cm (p = 0.003), emphysema (p = 0.006), and distance from the pleura to the target lesion (> 2 cm) (p = 0.010) were significant risk factors for complications.ConclusionThe diagnostic accuracy of cone-beam CT-guided PTNB of juxtaphrenic lesions for malignancy was fairly high, and the target lesion size was the only significant predictor of diagnostic failure. Complications of cone-beam CT-guided PTNB of juxtaphrenic lesions occurred at a reasonable rate.     

Application of deep learning to establish a diagnostic model of breast lesions using two-dimensional grayscale ultrasound imaging

PurposeThere are currently few specific artificial intelligence (AI) studies for Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4A lesions. This study aimed to establish an AI diagnostic model of breast lesions using two-dimensional grayscale ultrasound imaging and to compare its performance with that of radiologists.MethodsThe ultrasound images of 1311 lesions were evaluated by radiologists according to the BI-RADS categories, using pathology results as reference. Two classification standards (standards 1 and 2) for benign and malignant lesions were defined and used to calculate the diagnostic performance of radiologists, altogether and individually. The breast lesion images were also used to develop an AI diagnostic model.ResultsThe diagnostic performance of AI and that of the radiologists were compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). All parameters of diagnostic performance, except for sensitivity and NPV, improved with standard 2. For the 202 lesions in the test set, the diagnostic performance of the AI model had 77.0% accuracy, 82.0% sensitivity, 71.7% specificity, 79.3% PPV, 75.1% NPV, and an AUC of 0.846. When the AI model was used to analyze category 4A lesions, the PPV was 9.3%, which was better than that of the radiologists, although not significantly.ConclusionsDeep learning technology shows a good performance in classifying benign and malignant breast lesions. It may be potentially used in practice to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce unnecessary biopsies of breast lesions.     

CT导引下穿刺活检对胰腺占位性病变的诊断价值

目的 探讨CT导引穿刺活检胰腺占位性病变的诊断价值.方法 回顾性分析CT导引细针穿刺胰腺占位性病变68例,其中胰头区病变49例、胰体12例和胰尾7例.病灶直径2～7 cm,<3cm 10例,3～7 cm 58例.术前均作CT平扫和增强扫描,均采用前路进针,使用20 G细针穿刺.活检标本送病理科作组织病理检查.结果 68例患者均安全地穿刺到病变内,活检成功率为100%.穿刺活检诊断率为恶件病变46例,良性17例,5例未见病变.5例中2例经临床和CT随访均无异常,另3例最终证实胰腺囊腺癌2例和胃癌转移1例.穿刺活检总正确率、灵敏度和特异度分别为96%、95%和100%.CT导引活检对恶性、良性病变的正确率为94%和100%(P>0.05).较大肿块病灶(≥3.0 cm 97%,<3 cm90%)和病变位于胰尾(胰尾100%,胰头96%,胰体92%)的正确率稍高,但经统计学检验正确率差异并无统计学意义(P>0.05),未发现严重的并发症.结论 CT导引经皮细针穿刺活检胰腺占位性病变是一种安全的有效的诊断和鉴别诊断的方法.     

US, colour-Doppler US and fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to correlate the diagnosis of benign or malignant thyroid nodules obtained with grey-scale ultrasound (US) and colour-Doppler US with the cytological findings after US-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2004 and June 2005, 516 thyroid nodules in 420 patients (181 solitary thyroid nodules and 239 multiple nodules) were prospectively evaluated with US, colour-Doppler US and US-guided FNA. The nodules were classified as sonographically benign, suspicious or malignant in accordance with established US criteria. Cytological findings were classified as inadequate, benign, indeterminate, suspicious or malignant. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy of US and colour-Doppler US were evaluated using FNA as the reference procedure. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and overall accuracy values of grey-scale US were 46%, 73%, 34%, 82% and 67%, respectively, for solitary thyroid nodules and 35%, 72%, 14%, 90% and 68%, respectively, for multiple nodules. The evaluation of nodule vascularity with colour-Doppler US produced a slight increase in sensitivity but a slight reduction in specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid nodules cannot be accurately characterised using grey-scale US or colour-Doppler US.     

CT-guided lung biopsy: factors influencing diagnostic yield and complication rate

AIM: To determine factors influencing diagnostic yield in computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy of lung lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety-five consecutive CT-guided lung biopsies were performed in 182 patients between August 1995 and September 2000 and either fine-needle aspirate samples for cytology or core biopsy samples for histology were collected. Procedures were divided into a diagnostic group (true-positive and true-negative results) and a non-diagnostic group (false-positive and false-negative results) and the factors affecting diagnostic accuracy assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-six lesions (86%) were malignant, and 26 (14%) were benign. More than one biopsy was performed for 12 lesions. One hundred and thirty-two biopsies were true-positive, 27 true-negative and 36 false-negative. No false-positive results occurred in the study. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 81.5%. Significantly more core biopsies than fine-needle aspirates were diagnostic: 93 versus 78% (p<0.005). No difference was found in frequency of pneumothorax between these two groups. There was a difference in the average depth from the pleural surface of lesions in the diagnostic and non-diagnostic groups, but this did not attain statistical significance: 9.8 versus 17.2 mm (p=0.054). CONCLUSION: In this study CT-guided lung biopsy core biopsy was a more accurate method of tissue sampling than fine-needle aspiration, and was not associated with an excess of complications.     

Trans-thoracic biopsy of lung lesions: FNAB or CNB? Our experience and review of the literature

Purpose

This study was performed to determine the type and incidence of complications of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and core biopsy (CNB) performed under computed tomography (CT) guidance to characterise lung lesions, and assess the diagnostic accuracy of the two techniques.

Materials and methods

In 2009–2011, we performed 124 lung biopsies (66 CNB and 56 FNAB) on 121 patients with a mean age of 72.4 years. Exclusion criteria were pulmonary resection, pleural lesions and/or effusions, and inadequate blood-coagulation profile. All examinations were acquired after contrast-agent administration in a craniocaudal direction from the lung apex to base during a single inspiratory breath-hold, with standardised parameters. Each lesion was scanned with 13–15 slices that could be repeated whenever necessary to document the needle track and for lesion centring, by positioning a metallic marker perpendicular to the centring light to indicate the point of needle access. Unless otherwise clinically indicated, 4 h after the procedure chest radiography was performed.

Results

Age was found to be a factor influencing the complications: pneumothorax in young subjects (31 %) and parenchymal haemorrhage in the elderly (30 %), with CNB but not with FNAB. We had more complications with the right lung: 50 % of pneumothorax cases in the upper lobe with CNB and 40 % of cases of haemorrhage in the lower lobe with FNAB. The anterior approach gave rise to more complications with CNB, while the posterior approach with FNAB. CNB had more complications than FNAB for lesions ≤3.5 cm (31 vs. 18 % pneumothorax), and >3.5 cm (34 vs. 9 % haemorrhage). There was no significant correlation with lesion histology, needle calibre or number of passes (probably due to the small number of procedures done with needles other than 18 G in CNB or 22 G in FNAB or involving more than one needle pass). The diagnostic accuracy of FNAB, done with a pathologist’s extemporaneous assessment of sample adequacy, was 94.83 % against 81.82. % of CNB.

Conclusions

FNAB under CT guidance is subject to a lower rate of complications and, if performed in the presence of the pathologist, has a greater diagnostic accuracy compared to CNB.     

MR-arthrography in superior instability of the shoulder: correlation with arthroscopy

Purpose

This study was undertaken to evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography in the detection and classification of lesions that may cause superior instability.

Materials and methods

Forty-two consecutive patients with clinical signs of chronic superior instability of the shoulder underwent MR arthrography followed by arthroscopic surgery. For each patient we retrospectively reviewed the MR arthrography and surgical findings.

Results

We detected 31 superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) lesions, all confirmed on arthroscopy with three cases of underestimation: in the detection of SLAP lesions, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of MR arthrography were 100%; in the evaluation of the type of SLAP lesion, sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 78.5%, accuracy was 92.8%, PPV was 71.7% and NPV was 100%. All cases of capsular laxity (13/42) and biceps tendon lesions (3/42) were confirmed on arthroscopy with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of 100%. Eleven cuff lesions were detected on MR arthrography, 10 of which confirmed at arthroscopy: sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 96.8%, accuracy was 97.6%, PPV was 90.9% and NPV was 100%. Associated lesions were found in 38/42 patients.

Conclusions

Superior instability is frequently associated with different anatomical variants or pathological conditions, such as SLAP lesions. The role of MR arthrography is to describe the key features of lesions affecting the superior portion of the shoulder, including location, morphology, extent, and associated injuries and leanatomical variants and to correlate these features with clinical symptoms.     

LI-RADS MRI分类标准对肝细胞癌的诊断效能

目的：探讨肝脏影像报告和数据管理系统（LI-RADS）MRI 分级诊断标准对肝细胞癌（HCC）的诊断价值。方法：回顾性分析88例肝脏病变患者的上腹部MRI资料,并根据LI-RADS分类标准对病变进行分析评估,并与临床客观诊断结果进行比较。结果：88例患者MRI共发现117个病灶,其中LI-RADS 1～5类病灶99个：1类和2类病灶25个,临床客观诊断结果均为良性（阴性预测值为100％）;3类病灶3个,其中1个为HCC（阳性预测值为33．3％）;4类病灶8个,其中5个为 HCC（阳性预测值为62．5％）;63个5类病灶中61个为 HCC（阳性预测值为96．8％）。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线下面积为0．96（P＜0．001）。若将LI-RADS 1～2类病灶归为阴性,3～5类归为阳性,LI-RADS对诊断 HCC的总符合率为92．9％（92／99）,敏感度为100％（67／67）,特异度为78．1％（25／32）,阳性预测值为90．5％（67／74）,阴性预测值为100％（25／25）。若将LI-RADS 3类病灶排除,1～2类病灶归为阴性,4～5类病灶归为阳性,LI-RADS对 HCC的诊断符合率为94．8％（91／96）,敏感度为100％（66／66）,特异度为83．3％（25／30）,阳性预测值为93．0％（66／71）,阴性预测值为100％（25／25）。结论：LI-RADS分类标准对HCC的MRI诊断具有很好的诊断效果,有利于提高MRI诊断报告的准确性。     

The negative predictive value of breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging in noncalcified BIRADS 3 lesions

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine whether breast MRI can provide a sufficient NPV to safely rule out malignancy in mammographic BIRADS 3 lesions.

Materials and methods

In a 3-year consecutive mammographic examination study 176 out of 4391 patients had a lesion classified as BIRADS 3. 76 out of 176 patients underwent breast MRI as diagnostic work-up. Lesions which MRI classified as BIRADS 1 or 2 were considered negative for malignancy. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were calculated.

Results

In 27 out of 76 (35.5%) patients MRI showed no enhancement and was classified as BIRADS 1. In 25 (32.9%) patients MRI showed focal or mass enhancement classified as BIRADS 2. In these 52 (68.4%) patients no malignancy was found during at least 2 years study follow-up. The other 24 (31.6%) patients had a lesion classified as BIRADS ≥3. Thirteen of these 24 lesions were malignant by pathology. MRI had a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 75–100%), specificity of 82.5% (95% CI: 71–91%), PPV of 54.2% (95% CI: 33–74%) and NPV of 100% (95% CI: 93–100%).

Conclusion

Breast MRI should be used in a diagnostic strategy for the work-up of noncalcified BIRADS 3 lesions. Malignancy is ruled out with a very high level of confidence in the majority of patients (68%), herewith avoiding invasive diagnostic procedures.     

Punch biopsy or fine needle aspiration biopsy in percutaneous puncture

Purpose: The diagnostic accuracy and rate of complications of CT-guided core biopsies (CB) from suspected tumors of the chest were compared to the accuracy a complications of fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB). Methods: The accuracy in the diagnosis of a benign or malignant lesion of 79 FNAB (19.5 G self-aspirating cutting needle) and of 83 CB (18 G automated core biopsy) and the rates of pneumothorax, pleural drainage and hemoptysis were retrospectively evaluated. Results: With FNAB, the sensitivity for malignant lesions was 62.1 % and the accuracy 68.4 %. With CB the sensitivity amounted to 85.9 % and accuracy to 86.7 %. The rate of pneumothorax was 25.3 % following FNAB, with a drainage rate of 5.1 % compared to 19.3 % and 6.0 %, respectively, following CB. The rate of pneumothorax and drainage increased with increasing path length through aerated lung. In advanced emphysema, the pneumothorax rate did not increase; however, in pneumothoraces, pleural drainage was mandatory in 20 % of FNAB and in 100 % of CB. Hemoptysis without any therapeutic consequences occurred in 3.8 % following FNAB and in 6.0 % following CB. Conclusions: With CB diagnostic accuracy can be clearly increased without an obvious increase in the complication rate. However, in patients with obvious emphysema, the pleural drainage rate of pneumothorax may be higher following CB.      

初探超声造影基于LI-RADS分类标准诊断肝细胞癌的可行性

目的：探讨基于肝脏影像报告和数据管理系统（LI-RADS）的超声造影检查诊断肝细胞癌（HCC）的可行性。方法：回顾性分析108例有肝癌高风险的单发肝脏病变患者的超声造影资料,并基于LI-RADS分类标准对肝脏病变进行分析评估,并与病理或临床诊断结果相对照。结果：108个病灶中LI-RADS 1～5类病灶共106个：1类和2类病灶19个,临床客观诊断结果均为良性（阴性预测值为100％）;3类病灶3个;22个4类病灶中17个为 HCC（阳性预测值为77．3％）;62个5类病灶中有54个为 HCC（阳性预测值为87．1％）。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线下面积为0．83（P＜0．001）。若将LI-RADS 3～5类病灶归为阳性,基于LI-RADS的超声造影检查对HCC的诊断符合率为83．9％（92／106）,敏感度为100％（73／73）,特异度为57．6％（19／33）,阳性预测值为83．9％（73／87）,阴性预测值为100％（19／19）;若将 LI-RADS 3类病灶排除、1～2类病灶归为阴性、4～5类病灶归为阳性,则诊断符合率为87．4％（90／103）,敏感度为100％（71／71）,特异度为59．4％（19／32）,阳性预测值为84．5％（71／84）,阴性预测值为100％（19／19）。结论：超声造影检查中应用LI-RADS分类标准诊断 HCC具有一定的可行性。     

Ultrathin needle (25 G) aspiration lung biopsy: diagnostic accuracy and complication rates

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of 25-G fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the lung in patients with suspected malignant focal lesions and abnormal lung function. The 25-G FNAB was performed in 123 patients who underwent prebiopsy CT and pulmonary function tests. Retrospective evaluation included pulmonary function, cytology, size of the lesion, depth of location, presence of emphysema on CT, needle passes, pneumothorax and drainage. The final diagnosis (gold standard) was based on histopathology after surgical resection or follow-up and response to treatment. Sixty-one patients had normal lung function or mild impairment (group 1) and 62 had moderate or severe impairment (group 2). Pneumothorax occurred in 26 of 126 procedures (20.6%) with drainage needed in 11 (8.7%). In group 2 pneumothorax occurred in 19 of 63 procedures (30.15%) with drainage needed in 11 (17.5%). The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of cytology results were 93.6, 100 and 94.4%, respectively. FEV1 (p=0.014), FEV1/FVC (p=0.005), FEF25—75 (p=0.001), DLCO (p=0.013) and presence of emphysema on CT (p<0.001) correlated with pneumothorax (Students t test). The 25-G lung FNAB is accurate and safe in diagnosing malignancy in patients with severe lung functional abnormality. Patients with moderate to severe airway obstruction have a higher prevalence of pneumothorax than patients with mild or no functional impairment.     

Dual-energy chest radiography with a flat-panel digital detector: revealing calcified chest abnormalities

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the value of dual-energy chest radiography obtained using a cesium iodide flat-panel detector in addition to standard posteroanterior chest radiography for the detection of calcified chest abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 20 patients with a total of 37 calcified chest lesions (16 pulmonary nodules, 17 mediastinal calcifications, and four pleural calcifications) as confirmed on CT. Twenty-eight locations in the chests of the same patients who were free of lesions were used as negative controls. Four radiologists reviewed posteroanterior chest radiographs in a blinded manner alone and in conjunction with dual-energy soft-tissue and bone images. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, the negative predictive value (NPV), and the positive predictive value (PPV) for lesion prediction. The Wilcoxon's and the Brunner and Langer's tests were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: For posteroanterior chest radiography, sensitivity was 36%, the PPV was 64%, and the NPV was 47%. When dual-energy images were added, sensitivity increased significantly to 66% (p < 0.05), the PPV to 76%, and the NPV to 62%. The specificity remained constant at 73%. Brunner and Langer's test revealed a highly significant difference between posteroanterior chest radiography and dual-energy imaging in the detection of calcified chest abnormalities (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Dual-energy images added to standard posteroanterior chest radiographs significantly improve the detection of calcified chest lesions.     

Reevaluation of 201Tl-SPECT for patients with solitary pulmonary nodule--comparison study with biopsy method and tumor marker measurement]

We compared the differential diagnostic capabilities of 201Tl-SPECT and biopsy methods and serum tumor marker in 125 patients with solitary pulmonary lesions composed of 87 lung cancer and 38 benign lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of 201Tl-SPECT were 76%, 95%, 97%, 63%, and 82%, respectively. These parameters are similar in biopsy methods. Although sensitivity improved to be 85% by the combination with tumor marker methods, both specificity and accuracy deteriorated to be 55% and 76%. Using combination method with 201Tl-SPECT and biopsy, sensitivity, NPV and accuracy improved to be 84%, 70% and 85%. Based on its high PPV value, 201Tl-SPECT could be useful when biopsy method could not prove lung cancer or in case whose biopsy is considered to be invasive. Because of the lower NPV value owing to false negative cases in some adenocarcinoma, negative 201Tl-SPECT case should be followed up carefully.     

18F-FDG PET/CT与PET/MRI在结直肠癌肝转移诊断中的比较分析

目的:比较 18F-氟脱氧葡萄糖（FDG） PET/CT与PET/MRI显像对结直肠癌肝转移的诊断价值。 方法:回顾性分析2018年9月至2019年9月于宁波明州医院行全身 18F-FDG PET/CT显像及上腹部 18F-FDG PET/MRI显像,并疑似有结直肠癌肝转移...     

Comparison between multislice CT and MR imaging in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with pancreatic masses

Purpose

This study compared the results of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnostic evaluation of pancreatic masses.

Materials and methods

Forty patients with clinical and ultrasonographic evidence of pancreatic masses underwent MSCT and MRI. The majority of patients (31/40, 78%) had proven malignant pancreatic tumours (24 ductal adenocarcinoma, six mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, one intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma), whereas the remaining patients (9/40, 22%) were found to have benign lesions (eight chronic pancreatitis, one serous cystadenoma). Results of the imaging studies were compared with biopsy (n=33) and/or histology (n=7) findings to calculate sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive value for correct identification of tumours and evaluation of resectability of malignancies.

Results

Both for tumour identification and resectability, MSCT and MRI had comparable diagnostic accuracy, with no statistically significant differences between them. Tumour identification CT/MRI: accuracy 98/98%, sensitivity 100/100%, specificity 88/88%, PPV 97/97%, NPV 100/100%; tumour resectability CT/MRI: accuracy 94/90%, sensitivity 92/88%, specificity 100/100%, PPV 100/100%, NPV 78/70%.

Conclusions

MRI represents a valid diagnostic alternative to CT in the evaluation of patients with pancreatic masses, both for correct identification and characterisation of primary lesions and to establish resectability in the case of malignancies. New high-field MRI equipment allows optimal imaging quality with good contrast resolution in evaluating the upper abdomen.     

乳腺钼靶X线立体定位穿刺活检和手术

1992年7月～1993年9月间,对56例乳腺疾病患者进行钼靶摄片,发现56例57处病灶,对其中54例55处病灶进行了立体定位细针穿刺细胞学检查。结果显示其敏感性为92.5％,特异性为100％,诊断符合率为96.3％。若将细胞学检查结果与钼靶摄片相结合,联合敏感性与特异性均可达100％。上述病灶中有12处为临床所不能扪及的隐匿性病灶,6处在立体定位引导下完成了切除术。