Rectal cancer staging: Multidetector-row computed tomography diagnostic accuracy in assessment of mesorectal fascia invasion

AIM: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) as compared with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in identifying mesorectal fascia (MRF) invasion in rectal cancer patients.METHODS: Ninety-one patients with biopsy proven rectal adenocarcinoma referred for thoracic and abdominal CT staging were enrolled in this study. The contrast-enhanced MDCT scans were performed on a 256 row scanner (ICT, Philips) with the following acquisition parameters: tube voltage 120 KV, tube current 150-300 mAs. Imaging data were reviewed as axial and as multiplanar reconstructions (MPRs) images along the rectal tumor axis. MRI study, performed on 1.5 T with dedicated phased array multicoil, included multiplanar T2 and axial T1 sequences and diffusion weighted images (DWI). Axial and MPR CT images independently were compared to MRI and MRF involvement was determined. Diagnostic accuracy of both modalities was compared and statistically analyzed.RESULTS: According to MRI, the MRF was involved in 51 patients and not involved in 40 patients. DWI allowed to recognize the tumor as a focal mass with high signal intensity on high b-value images, compared with the signal of the normal adjacent rectal wall or with the lower tissue signal intensity background. The number of patients correctly staged by the native axial CT images was 71 out of 91 (41 with involved MRF; 30 with not involved MRF), while by using the MPR 80 patients were correctly staged (45 with involved MRF; 35 with not involved MRF). Local tumor staging suggested by MDCT agreed with those of MRI, obtaining for CT axial images sensitivity and specificity of 80.4% and 75%, positive predictive value (PPV) 80.4%, negative predictive value (NPV) 75% and accuracy 78%; while performing MPR the sensitivity and specificity increased to 88% and 87.5%, PPV was 90%, NPV 85.36% and accuracy 88%. MPR images showed higher diagnostic accuracy, in terms of MRF involvement, than native axial images, as compared to the reference magnetic resonance images. The difference in accuracy was statistically significant (P = 0.02).CONCLUSION: New generation CT scanner, using high resolution MPR images, represents a reliable diagnostic tool in assessment of loco-regional and whole body staging of advanced rectal cancer, especially in patients with MRI contraindications.     

Computerized helicoidal tomography of the coronary arteries vs coronary angiography

INTRODUCTION: The calcium score (CS) of the coronary arteries by computed tomography (CT) is an useful procedure for the diagnosis of obstructive coronary disease (OCD), with an average sensitivity of 82 +/- 6%, specificity of 88 +/- 2%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 57 +/- 7% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 96 +/- 2%. The objective of this trial was to compare helicoidal CT Scan with the traditional method and define sensitivity, specificity, Positive predictive value and negative predictive value against the coronary angiography. METHODS: From June of 1998 to March of 1999, one hundred and sixty six patients with coronary arteries CT were studied. The CT was done with an ELSCINT-CT Twin equipment and a software for the quantification of the coronary arteries CS in Hounsfield units. In forty one, coronary angiography was performed. A significant obstructive lesion was defined as > or = 70% of luminal stenosis in at least one artery, or > or = 50% in the left main and > or = 50% if some other artery was involved. This group was divided in accordance to the CS in two subgroups: A with a CS < or = 150 and B those with a CS > or = 151. RESULTS: In group A, 45% had significative lesions vs 95% in group B (p = 0.001). The sensitivity was 65%, specificity 95%, PPV 64% and the NPV 92%. Relative risk 2.08 (CI 95% 1.38-3.54) and Odds ratio 21.6 (CI 95% 2.43-191.37). CONCLUSIONS: Even though the small sample, CT is an useful procedure for the diagnosis of the OCD.     

CT检查食管癌不同区域淋巴结转移规律分析

目的探讨CT检查食管癌不同区域淋巴结转移规律。方法回顾性分析118例行根治性切除术的食管癌病例,术前行下颈区、纵隔、上腹部CT扫描,观察测量不同区域淋巴结的大小及个数,判断转移情况,术后与病理诊断对照分析。结果全组淋巴结总转移率为38.1%,纵隔和上腹部的淋巴结转移率较高,分别为36.7%和41.6%。术前CT检查食管癌不同区域淋巴结转移的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为下颈区75.0%、84.5%、27.2%、96.9%,纵隔63.0%、90.1%、65.3%、92.1%,上腹部70.0%、97.2%、70.0%、97.2%。结论术前CT检查下颈区、纵隔、上腹部能比较准确地反映食管癌淋巴结转移的分布规律,对下颈区淋巴结转移的灵敏度较高。     

High-risk esophageal varices in patients treated with locoregional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: Assessment with liver computed tomography

AIM:To assess the diagnostic performance of followup liver computed tomography(CT) for the detection of high-risk esophageal varices in patients treated with locoregional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:We prospectively enrolled 100 patients with cirrhosis who underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,radiofrequency ablation or both procedures for HCCs.All patients underwent upper endoscopy and subsequently liver CT.Three radiologists independently evaluated the presence of high-risk esophageal varices with transverse images alone and with three orthogonal multiplanar reformation(MPR) images,respectively.With endoscopic grading as the reference standard,diagnostic performance was assessed by using receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis.RESULTS:The diagnostic performances(areas under the ROC curve) of three observers with transverse images alone were 0.947 ± 0.031,0.969 ± 0.024,and 0.916 ± 0.038,respectively.The mean sensitivity,specificity,positive predicative value(PPV),and negative predicative value(NPV) with transverse images alone were 90.1%,86.39%,70.9%,and 95.9%,respectively.The diagnostic performances,mean sensitivity,specificity,PPV,and NPV with three orthogonal MPR images(0.965 ± 0.025,0.959 ± 0.027,0.938 ± 0.033,91.4%,89.5%,76.3%,and 96.6%,respectively) were not superior to corresponding values with transverse images alone(P 0.05),except for the mean specificity(P = 0.039).CONCLUSION:Our results showed excellent diagnostic performance,sensitivity and NPV to detect high-risk esophageal varices on follow-up liver CT after locoregional therapy for HCC.     

FDG PET与增强CT异机融合图像在胰腺病变良恶性鉴别诊断及胰腺癌分期中的价值

目的 探讨FDG PET与增强CT（CECT）异机融合技术在胰腺病变良恶性鉴别诊断及胰腺癌分期中的价值.方法 回顾性分析2010年9月至2013年10月在上海长海医院行CECT和常规PET/CT检查的70例胰腺病患者的资料,其中男性45例,女性25例,中位年龄57岁;恶性50例,良性20例.使用西门子Multimodality Workplace TureD软件获得PET/CECT异机融合图像.以病理及临床影像随访结果作为标准,比较CECT、PET/CT、PET/CECT异机融合图像对胰腺病变鉴别诊断以及胰腺癌分期的效能.结果 CECT、PET/CT、PET/CECT异机融合在胰腺病灶良恶性诊断方面的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值（PPV）、阴性预测值（NPV）、准确率和Kppa值分别为82.0％、65.0％、85.4％、59.1％、77.1％及0.465; 92.0％、65.0％、86.8％、76.5％、84.2％及0.597; 96.0％、90.0％、96.0％、90.0％、94.3％及0.860,其中CECT与PET/CECT诊断良恶性病变的敏感性、NPV及准确率的差异有统计学意义（P值均＜0.05）.31例胰腺癌经手术证实,其中15例发现伴胰周血管侵犯,3种检查方法诊断的敏感性、特异性、PPV、NPV和准确率分别为93.3％、93.7％、93.3％、93.8％及93.5％;26.7％、75.0％、50.0％、52.2％及51.6％;93.3％、93.7％、93.3％、93.8％及93.5％,其中PET/CT与CECT、PET/CECT诊断胰周血管侵犯的敏感性、PPV、NPV及准确性的差异有统计学意义（P值均＜0.05）.19例病理证实有区域淋巴结转移,3种方法诊断的敏感性、特异性、PPV、NPV和准确率分别为63.2％、91.7％、92.3％、61.1％及74.2％; 78.9％、83.3％、88.2％、71.4％及80.6％; 89.5％、91.7％、94.4％、84.6％及90.3％,差异均无统计学意义.50例恶性病变中17例经组织学或临床随访证实有远处转移,3种方法诊断的敏感性、特异性、PPV、NPV和准确率分别为58.8％、100％、100％、82.5％及86％;82.4％、91.0％、82.4％、90.9％及88％;94.1％、97.0％、94.1％、97.0％及96.0％,     

Determining in-stent stenosis of carotid arteries by duplex ultrasound criteria.

PURPOSE: To develop customized duplex ultrasound criteria for assessment of in-stent restenosis in the carotid arteries. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 605 patients who underwent carotid artery stenting (CAS) from July 1996 to August 2004 at a single institution. Data on the stented carotid artery were accumulated from patients who had carotid angiography and duplex ultrasound (US) within 30 days of each other. Preliminary review found 118 pairs of ultrasound scans and angiograms in stented carotid arteries. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and internal carotid artery to common carotid artery ratio (ICA/CCA) were examined. Angiographic stenosis was graded by NASCET criteria and compared to velocity parameters at clinically relevant levels of stenosis. The Student t test was used to compare similarly obtained data from 41 nonstented carotid arteries. RESULTS: PSV, ICA/CCA ratio, and EDV increased to a greater degree in stented arteries with stenosis. In 50% to 69% stenotic arteries, mean ICA/CCA ratio was 4.74+/-0.61 in stented versus 3.68+/-0.24 in nonstented carotid arteries (p = 0.043). In arteries with > or = 70% stenosis, there were increases in PSV (475+/-22 versus 337+/-26 cm/s, p = 0.001), EDV (172+/-23 versus 122+/-8 cm/s, p = 0.043), and the ICA/CCA ratio (8.18+/-2.19 versus 5.11+/-0.66, p = 0.063) in stented versus nonstented arteries, respectively. To detect > or = 70% angiographic stenosis, PSV > or = 350 cm/s had 100% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 55% positive predictive value (PPV), and 100% negative predictive value (NPV); an ICA/CCA ratio > or = 4.75 had 100% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 50% PPV, and 100% NPV. To predict > 50% stenosis, combining PSV > or = 225 cm/s and ICA/PCA ratio > or = 2.5 increased sensitivity (95%), specificity (99%), PPV (95%), NPV (99%), and accuracy (98%). CONCLUSIONS: PSV and ICA/CCA increase with stenosis to a greater extent in stented carotid arteries, necessitating revision of existing US criteria to follow CAS patients. To determine > or = 70% in-stent stenosis, PSV > or = 350 cm/s and ICA/CCA ratio > or = 4.75 are sensitive criteria. To determine > or = 50% stenosis, combining PSV > or = 225 cm/s and ICA/PCA ratio > or = 2.5 is optimal.     

Efficacy of narrow-band imaging in detecting early esophageal cancer and risk factors for its occurrence

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of narrow-band imaging (NBI) in the detecting early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions and to investigate the risk factors for its occurrence.

Methods

The esophagus was examined with ordinary endoscopy, NBI, and iodine staining. All the lesions were confirmed by histopathologically as the gold standard; NBI and intrapapillary capillary scale (IPCL) scale were compared with pathologic diagnosis. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated. Subgroup analysis was performed between the elderly vs. younger group, and head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) vs. non-HNSCC patients.

Results

Ninety lesions were detected with ordinary endoscopy, 108 with NBI, and 120 with iodine staining. All esophageal cancers were detected both by NBI and by iodine staining. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for esophageal cancer and precancerous lesion were 67.8%, 58.1%, and 76.6%; 92%, 89.7%, and 96%; 93.4%, 93.4%, and 93.2%, respectively. NBI endoscopy and iodine staining were superior to ordinary endoscopy for detecting esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions (p?<?0.05). NBI showed better detection of esophageal neoplasms in the elderly patients (p?<?0.001). The incidence of multiple squamous cell cancers (SCCs) was significantly higher in non-elderly group (p?=?0.009). NBI can also detect more esophageal neoplastic lesions in patients with head and neck cancers (p?=?0.003).

Conclusions

NBI endoscopy appears as effective as Lugol staining to detect and screen the early esophageal cancer. NBI shows better detection of esophageal neoplasms in the elderly patients. The incidence of multiple SCCs was much higher in non-elderly patients.

     

Inflammatory low back pain: high negative predictive value of contrast-enhanced color Doppler ultrasound in the detection of inflamed sacroiliac joints

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of microbubble contrast agents for color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of active sacroiliitis. METHODS: An observational case-control study of 103 consecutive patients (206 sacroiliac [SI] joints) with inflammatory low back pain according to the Calin criteria and 30 controls (60 SI joints) without low back pain was conducted at the University Hospital of Innsbruck. All patients and controls underwent unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CDUS and MRI of the SI joints. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CDUS were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (41%) with 70 of 206 SI joints (34%) and none of the controls nor the 60 control SI joints demonstrated active sacroiliitis on MRI. Unenhanced CDUS showed a sensitivity of 17%, a specificity of 96%, a PPV of 65%, and an NPV of 72%; contrast-enhanced CDUS showed a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 86%, a PPV of 78%, and an NPV of 97%. Detection of vascularity in the SI joint was increased by contrast administration (P < 0.0001). Clustered receiver operating curve analysis demonstrated that enhanced CDUS (A(z) = 0.89) was significantly better than unenhanced CDUS (A(z) = 0.61) for the diagnosis of active sacroiliitis verified by MRI (P < 0.0001; 2-sided test). CONCLUSION: Microbubble contrast-enhanced CDUS is a sensitive technique with a high NPV for detection of active sacroiliitis compared with MRI.     

Comparison of duplex sonography and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of giant cell (temporal) arteritis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and color-coded duplex sonography (CCDS) in patients with giant cell (temporal) arteritis (GCA). METHODS: Results of high-resolution MRI and CCDS in 59 patients with suspected GCA were compared with the final clinical diagnosis (based on the American College of Rheumatology GCA criteria and a 6-month followup study). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated for each method. In 41 of the patients, imaging results were also compared with the findings of a temporal artery (TA) biopsy. RESULTS: Thirty-six of the 59 patients (61%) were ultimately diagnosed as having GCA. Sensitivity of high-resolution MRI and CCDS was 69% and 67%, respectively, specificity was 91% and 91%, PPV was 93% and 92%, and NPV was 66% and 64%, respectively. TA biopsy findings were positive in 24 of the 41 biopsied patients (59%). Sensitivity of high-resolution MRI and CCDS compared with TA biopsy was 83% and 79%, respectively, specificity was 71% and 59%, PPV was 80% and 73%, and NPV was 75% and 67%, respectively. The differences between high-resolution MRI and CCDS were not significant. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic power of high-resolution MRI and CCDS in detecting GCA was comparable. Either of these noninvasive techniques may have value in the evaluation of patients with suspected GCA, and decisions regarding which technique to use may depend on the clinical setting.     

Lymph node staging in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A comparative study of endoscopic ultrasonography versus computed tomography

Background and Aim:  Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is established as a standard approach for locoregional staging of esophageal cancer. However, only a few published studies have attempted to correlate the station of the abnormal lymph nodes detected by EUS with the definitive histology. We compared EUS and computed tomography (CT) in the initial staging of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Methods:  Consecutive patients with esophageal cancer undergoing EUS were evaluated. EUS findings and patient data including histopatology were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. Lymph node locations were divided into three groups; abdominal (A), paraesophageal (B), and thoracic paratracheal (C).
Results:  A total of 365 consecutive patients underwent EUS and 159 patients underwent esophagectomy without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Thirty-eight patients were excluded (insufficient EUS, etc.), and 121 patients were enrolled. The overall accuracy of EUS was 64% (sensitivity 68%, specificity 58%, positive predictive value [PPV] 68%), CT was 51% (sensitivity 33%, specificity 75%, PPV 64%), and CT + EUS was 64% (sensitivity 74%, specificity 50%, PPV 66%). The accuracy of EUS was higher than CT in Groups A and C. Sensitivity of CT was lower than that of EUS alone and CT + EUS.
Conclusions:  This study has demonstrated that EUS is a more accurate technique than contrast-enhanced CT for detecting abnormal lymph nodes. Sensitivity of CT was lower than that of EUS alone and CT + EUS. But some metastatic lymph nodes in neck and abdominal fields are only detectable by CT. Therefore, both EUS and CT should be undertaken for routine examination prior to treatment of esophageal cancer.     

Accuracy of routine multidetector computed tomography to identify arterial variants in patients scheduled for pancreaticoduodenectomy

AIM:To assess the efficacy of cross-sectional multidetector computed tomography(MDCT) imaging without arterialreconstruction to identify aberrant right hepatic artery(RHA) and celiac artery stenosis(CAS) in patients scheduled for pancreaticoduodenectomy.METHODS:Patients with peri-ampullary and pancreatic head tumors who underwent routine preoperative MDCT and subsequent computed tomography(CT) angiography(CTA),conventional angiography or pancreaticoduodenectomy between September 2007 and August 2013 were identified.Retrospective analysis of imaging data was undertaken using CTA,conventional angiographic and surgical findings as the reference standards.The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV) and negative predictive value(NPV) of MDCT in evaluation of aberrant RHA and CAS were calculated.RESULTS:A group of 458 patients met the inclusion criteria of this study to detect aberrant RHA,and 181 cases were included to identify CAS.Fifty-four(11.8%) patients were confirmed to have aberrant RHA,while 12(6.6%) patients with CAS were demonstrated.MDCT yielded an accuracy of 98.5%,sensitivity of 96.3% and specificity of 98.8% in the detection of aberrant RHA.The sensitivity,specificity,PPV and NPV of MDCT for detecting CAS were 58.3%,98.2%,70% and 97.1%,respectively.CONCLUSION:Routine MDCT is recommended such that surgeons and radiologists be alerted to the importance of arterial variants on preoperative CT scans in patients scheduled for pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

Galactomannan detection in computerized tomography-based broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and serum in haematological patients at risk for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

We determined the value of galactomannan (GM) detection in computerized tomography (CT)-based broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and serum for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in haemato-oncological patients with neutropenia. CT of the thorax and BAL were performed systematically at predefined clinical indications. GM was determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the clinicians were unaware of the results. Of 160 patients, 17 patients (10.6%) presented with proven, probable or suspected IPA. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of GM detection in CT-based BAL fluid were all 100%. For GM detection in serially sampled serum, the sensitivity was 47%, the specificity 93%, the PPV 73% and the NPV 82%. A non-blinded follow-up study was performed to validate these results. In this study, 22 of 198 patients (11.1%) presented with IPA, and the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of GM detection in CT-based BAL fluid were 85%, 100%, 100% and 88% respectively. None of BAL fluids obtained after antifungal treatment of 3 d or more were positive. These results indicate that, when CT is used systematically and at an early stage, GM detection in CT-based BAL fluid has a high PPV for diagnosing IPA early in untreated patients.     

不同Todani分型小儿先天性胆总管囊肿CT表现

目的 探讨CT术前检查诊断不同Todani分型小儿先天性胆总管囊肿(CCC)效能.方法 2013年1月 ～2020年6月我院收治的CCC患儿126例,入院后接受CT平扫和增强扫描.所有患儿接受外科手术治疗,以术后组织病理学诊断为金标准,判断术前CT检查诊断Todani分型的效能.结果 在126例患儿中,术后组织病理学诊...     

Self-diagnosis of active head lice infestation by individuals from an impoverished community: high sensitivity and specificity

To compare sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of self-diagnosis for head lice infestation with visual inspection, we conducted a study in an urban slum in Brazil. Individuals were asked about active head lice infestation (self-diagnosis); we performed visual inspection and thereafter wet combing (gold standard). Of the 175 individuals included, 77 (44%) had an active head lice infestation. For self-diagnosis, sensitivity (80.5%), specificity (91.8%), PPV (88.6%) and NPV (85.7%) were high. Sensitivity of visual inspection was 35.1%. Public health professionals can use self-diagnosis as a diagnostic tool, to estimate accurately prevalence of pediculosis in a community, and to monitor ongoing intervention strategies.     

The detection of surface patterns by flexible spectral imaging color enhancement without magnification for diagnosis of colorectal polyps

Purpose

Flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE), or image-enhanced endoscopy, can enhance visualization of surface and vascular patterns of colorectal polyps. Resolution of FICE has recently been improved. We evaluated diagnostic accuracy for neoplastic and non-neoplastic colorectal polyp differentiation with detection of surface patterns by FICE without magnification.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 151 colorectal polyps evaluated by FICE without magnification was performed. Neoplastic surface patterns were defined as tubular and oval pit. We aimed to determine sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), and accuracy in correlating diagnosis by FICE without magnification with histology. Moreover, findings were compared to those of white-light endoscopy (WL) and chromoendoscopy (CHR).

Results

Of the 151 colorectal polyps, 95 were identified as neoplastic and 56 were identified as non-neoplastic. FICE without magnification had a sensitivity of 89.4%, specificity of 89.2%, PPV of 93.4%, NPV of 83.3%, and accuracy of 89.4%. The accuracy of FICE value was higher than that of WL (sensitivity of 74.7%, specificity of 73.2%, PPV of 82.5%, NPV of 63.0%, and accuracy of 74.1%) and was worse than that of CHR (sensitivity of 96.8%, specificity of 89.2%, PPV of 93.9%, NPV of 96.1%, and accuracy of 94.7%). Imaging evaluation was validated by inter-/intra-observer measurements, demonstrating consistent results.

Conclusions

The detection of surface patterns by FICE without magnification is useful for differential diagnosis of colorectal polyps. We believe that FICE without magnification is more convenient and easier method than CHR.     

Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the dipyridamole sestamibi stress test comparing arterial to vein conduits

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the dipyridamole stress test (DSST) in predicting > or = 50% obstruction of an internal mammary artery or new native coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with saphenous vein graft obstruction > or = 50% in patients with prior coronary artery surgery and symptoms. DESIGN: In 144 patients with prior coronary artery surgery who underwent a DSST within 8 +/- 7 days of coronary angiography performed because of cardiac symptoms, we investigated the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the DSST in predicting > or = 50% obstruction of an internal mammary artery or new native CAD (201 total arterial conduits) vs > or = 50% obstruction of saphenous vein grafts (total saphenous grafts = 246). SETTING: A university hospital. PATIENTS: The 144 patients included 88 men and 56 women, mean age 68 +/- 9 years (+/- SD). RESULTS: The DSST had a sensitivity of 81%, a specificity of 87%, a PPV of 84%, and a NPV of 84% in predicting > or = 50% obstruction of an internal mammary artery or new native CAD. The DSST had a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 82%, a PPV of 86%, and a NPV of 85% in predicting > or = 50% obstruction of saphenous vein grafts. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in sensitivity, specificity, PPV, or NPV of the DSST in predicting > or = 50% obstruction of an internal mammary artery or new native CAD vs predicting > or = 50% obstruction of saphenous vein grafts in patients with prior coronary artery surgery and cardiac symptoms.     

Paraaortic lymph node metastasis in patients with intra- abdominal malignancies： CT vs PET

AIM： To compare the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography （CT） and positron emission tomography （PET） for the preoperative detection of paraaortic lymph node （PAN） metastasis in patients with intra- abdominal malignancies. METHODS： Sixty-six patients with intra-abdominal malignancies who underwent both CT and PET before lymphadenectomy were included in this study. Histopathologicaliy, 13 patients had metastatic PAN, while 53 had non-metastatic PAN. The CT criteria for metastasis were： short diameter ：）f 〉 8 mm, Iobular or irregular shape, and/or combined ancillary findings, including necrosis, conglomeration, vessel encasement, and infiltration. The PET criterion was positive fluorodeoxyglucose （FDG） uptake. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value （PPV）, negative predictive value （NPV）, and accuracy of both modalities were compared with the pathologic findings, and the false positive and false negative cases with both CT and PET were analyzed.RESULTS： The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of CT were 61.5%, 84.9%, 50%, 90% and 80.3%, respectively. For PET, the percentages were 46.2%, 100%, 100%, 88.3%, and 89.4%. Additionally, there were 8 false positive CT cases （8/53, 15.1%） and zero false positive PET cases. Of the 13 metastatic PANs, there were 5 false negative CT scans （38.5%） and 7 （53.9%） false negative PET scans.CONCLUSION： For detecting PAN metastasis, CT is more sensitive than PET, while PET is more specific.     

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of lymph node metastasis in early colorectal cancer

AIM: To assess the role of computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and establish imaging criteria of lymph node metastasis in early colorectal cancer.METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients with early colorectal cancer were evaluated for tumor location, clinical history of polypectomy, depth of tumor invasion, and lymph node metastasis. Two radiologists assessed preoperative CT and/or MRI for the primary tumor site detectability, the presence or absence of regional lymph node, and the size of the largest lymph node. Demographic, imaging, and pathologic findings were compared between the two groups of patients based on pathologic lymph node metastasis and optimal size criterion was obtained.RESULTS: The locations of tumor were ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid colon, and rectum. One hundred and sixty early colorectal cancers were classified into 3 groups based on the pathological depth of tumor invasion; mucosa, submucosa, and depth unavailable. A total of 20(12.5%) cancers with submucosal invasion showed lymph node metastasis. Lymph nodes were detected on CT or MRI in 53 patients. The detection rate and size of lymph nodes were significantly higher(P = 0.000, P = 0.044, respectively) in patients with pathologic nodal metastasis than in patients without nodal metastasis. Receiver operating curve analysis showed that a cut-off value of 4.1 mm is optimal with a sensitivity of 78.6% and specificity of 75%.CONCLUSION: The short diameter size criterion of≥ 4.1 mm for metastatic lymph nodes was optimal for nodal staging in early colorectal cancer.     

Usefulness of preoperative endobronchial ultrasound for airway invasion around the trachea: esophageal cancer and thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND: It is important to confirm preoperative tracheobronchial invasion to enable the selection of the most appropriate treatment. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the usefulness of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance image (MRI) and bronchoscopy by endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) for the assessment of invasion of thyroid or esophageal cancer in cases with suspected tracheobronchial invasion. METHODS: In cases with suspected contact between the tumor and tracheobronchial wall, CT, MRI and EBUS indicated deformity of the tracheobronchial wall due to the adjacent mass. The final diagnosis was based on surgical and histological results, and/or clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were included in this study. Based on the findings of CT, MRI and EBUS, invasion was suspected in 29, 28 and 25 patients, respectively. Seventeen patients did not undergo surgery based on the results of CT, MRI and bronchoscopy with EBUS. Final diagnosis was intact trachea or bronchial adventitia in 26 patients and invasion in 28 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of CT, MRI and EBUS for invasion were 59 and 56, 75 and 73, and 92 and 83%, respectively. The accuracy of EBUS was significantly greater than that of CT in the present study (p = 0.0011). The accuracy of EBUS was significantly different from that of CT and MRI in the surgically treated patients (p = 0.005 and p = 0.032, respectively). CONCLUSION: EBUS is the most useful technique for determining the depth and extent of tumor invasion into the airway wall. The combination of MRI and EBUS will contribute to surgical planning in patients with esophageal and thyroid cancer.     

Combined coronary and mitral annulus calcium detection in the non-invasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with systemic hypertension

BACKGROUND: Although the presence of coronary calcium (CC) on fast spiral computed tomography (FSCT) is a powerful predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD), both the specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of CC in CAD diagnosis are modest. Since previous studies have shown an association between mitral annular calcification (MAC) and coronary atherosclerosis, we aimed to investigate whether combined coronary and MAC detection could improve the non-invasive diagnosis of CAD. DESIGN AND METHODS: Our study comprised 522 patients (284 men and 238 women, age ranged from 52-80 years, mean 65 +/- 6 years) who underwent FSCT of the coronaries as well as echo-Doppler examination. Among them, 97 patients had prior diagnosis of prevalent proven CAD (CAD group) while 425 patients were without clinically manifested CAD (the No CAD group). RESULTS: The prevalence of CC in the CAD group was 95 versus 68% in the No CAD group (P = 0.001). The prevalence of MAC in CAD group was 63 versus 51% in No CAD group (P = 0.03). Sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of CC as a predictor of CAD were 95 and 96% respectively, but specificity and PPV were low: 32 and 24% respectively. Sensitivity and NPV of MAC as predictors of CAD were 63 and 85% respectively; specificity and PPV, 49 and 22% respectively. Using of combined CC and MAC evaluation in the prediction led to some specificity improvement at the expense of a similar sensitivity reduction, without a considerable gain in the total accuracy of the method. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary calcium detection on FSCT in hypertensive patients yields excellent sensitivity and NPV but relatively low specificity and PPV for clinically manifested CAD. Mitral annular calcification assessment yields a low sensitivity and specificity and its addition to CC evaluation does not improve non-invasive diagnosis of CAD.