Potential impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT on patients selection for neoadjuvant chemotherapy before radical cystectomy

BackgroundThe detection of lymph node metastases in bladder cancer has a major impact on treatment decisions and patients prognosis. Due to limited value of conventional imaging, the place of molecular and functional imaging needs to be precised, particularly in the neoadjuvant setting.MethodsFrom June 2011 to June 2013, 102 patients with clinically localized BCa were simultaneously staged with ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT before RC. This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of metastases in normal-sized lymph nodes using extended pelvic lymph node dissection and histopathology as the reference standard.ResultsA total of 1211 LNs were examined histopathologically. Sixty-seven (5.5%) metastatic nodes were found in 26/102 patients (25.5%). Lymph node density was 22%. On patient-based analysis, sensitivity, specificity, predictive positive value (PPV), negative positive value (NPV) and accuracy for ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were calculated as 50%, 96.2%, 80%, 86.2% and 85.3% respectively. On a field-based analysis, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy for ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were calculated as 50.0%, 99.0%, 71.9%, 97.4%, and 96.5% respectively. The majority of missed metastases were micrometastasis <5 mm in long axis diameter.Conclusions¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT improves diagnostic efficacy for lymph node staging in patients staged N0 with conventional cross-sectional imaging. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT could be used as a surrogate marker for detection of metastases in non-enlarged pelvic lymph nodes and enhances management strategy guiding patients selection for neoadjuvant chemotherapy.     

Comparison of (11)C-choline PET/CT and enhanced CT in the evaluation of patients with pulmonary abnormalities and locoregional lymph node involvement in lung cancer

BackgroundThis study compares the diagnostic abilities of integrated ¹¹C-choline PET/CT imaging and contrast-enhanced helical CT imaging in pulmonary lesions and locoregional lymph node metastases in patients with lung cancer.Patients and MethodsOne hundred eight patients with proven or suspected lung cancer underwent integrated ¹¹C-choline PET/CT and contrast-enhanced CT, followed by surgical resection and nodal staging.ResultsThe ¹¹C-choline PET/CT and CT diagnoses of pulmonary lesions and locoregional lymph node metastases were compared with pathologic findings, which revealed benign lesions in 26 patients (tuberculoma [8 patients], inflammatory pseudotumor [7 patients], hamartoma [6 patients], sclerosing hemangioma [4 patients], and pulmonary sequestration [1 patient]) and lung cancers in 82 patients (adenocarcinoma [39 patients], squamous cell carcinoma [23 patients], carcinoid [7 patients], small-cell lung cancer [5 patients], adenosquamous carcinoma [5 patients], and large-cell lung cancer [3 patients]). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of ¹¹C-choline PET/CT for diagnosing lung cancer were 82.4%, 85.4%, and 73.1%, respectively, compared with 73.1%, 76.8%, and 61.5%, respectively, for CT. Differences between ¹¹C-choline PET/CT and CT in diagnosing lung cancer were not statistically significant (p = .503, .118, and .375, respectively). We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for analysis, finding the ROC of standard uptake value (SUV_max) for diagnosing lung cancer. The cutoff value of SUV_max was 3.54. Preoperative nodal staging was compared with postoperative histopathologic staging. ¹¹C-choline PET/CT correctly staged 80.5% of patients, 12.2% were overstaged, and 7.3% were understaged; for CT these values were 58.5%, 24.4%, and 17.1%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of ¹¹C-choline PET/CT for lymph nodes were 83.8%, 82.4%, 84.1%, 50.3%, and 96.1%, respectively, compared with 69.3%, 63.7%, 71.2%, 30.2%, 91.0%, respectively, for CT.ConclusionDifferences in the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV between ¹¹C-choline PET/CT and CT are thus statistically significant for nodal staging (p = .003, .007, .000, .000, and .004, respectively). Although ¹¹C-choline PET/CT is not significantly better at diagnosing pulmonary lesions than is enhanced CT, ¹¹C-choline PET/CT has improved sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV relative to enhanced CT in the evaluation of locoregional lymph nodes.     

The value of pre-operative computed tomography scanning for the assessment of lymph node status in patients with colon cancer

AimOur aim was to determine the value of a pre-operative computed tomography (CT) scan for the assessment of lymph node status in patients diagnosed with colon cancer by comparing radiological N-stage to histopathological N-stage.Patients and methodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study at the Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Between 2008 and 2010, two radiologists independently reviewed all pre-operative CT scans of patients diagnosed with colon cancer. The scans were examined for signs of regional lymphatic spread (N+), defined as lymph nodes exceeding 1 cm, clusters of ≥3 lymph nodes or a combination of the two. The results were compared with the histopathological N-stage. Inter-observer agreement, positive predictive value (PVV), negative predictive value (NPV), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated.ResultsWe included 106 patients in our study. PVV, NPV, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of detecting regional lymph nodes metastases were 47%, 66%, 71%, 41% and 54%, respectively. Inter-observer agreement was 74.5% (к = 0.48).ConclusionAlthough our study group was relatively large and newer techniques were used in comparison to previous studies, our results demonstrated that the value of a pre-operative CT scan for the assessment of regional lymph nodes remained poor and unreliable. Therefore we question if a radiologist should assess regional lymph nodes on a pre-operative CT scan in colon cancer. Before treatment decisions are made on the appearance of lymph nodes in colon cancer patients, its diagnostic accuracy needs strong improvement.     

The Comparative Study of Ultrasonography,Contrast-Enhanced MRI,and 18F-FDG PET/CT for Detecting Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in T1 Breast Cancer

Purpose

A more noninvasive evaluation of axillary lymph node in breast cancer is one of the principal challenges of breast cancer treatment. To detect axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) in T1 breast cancer, we have compared the axillary ultrasonography (AUS), contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI), and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to determine the most adequate test or a combination of tests.

Methods

Retrospectively, 349 T1 breast cancer patients who were preoperatively examined using AUS, cMRI, and PET/CT between 2008 and 2011 and whom underwent pathological evaluations of axillary lymph nodes were reviewed and analyzed.

Results

In total, 26.4% (92/349) of patients exhibited ALNM. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of AUS for determining ALNM were 44.6%, 88.7%, 58.6%, 81.7%, and 77.1%, respectively. cMRI was similar to AUS. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of PET/CT were 44.5%, 94.2%, 73.2%, 82.6%, and 81.1%, respectively. The combination including cMRI and PET/CT was the most accurate with sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy values of 39.1%, 98.8%, 92.3%, 81.9%, and 83.1%, respectively. The mean number (3.5±4.2) of ALNMs in the patients who were positive based on cMRI and PET/CT and also pathologically proven to exhibit ALNM was significantly larger than the number (2.16±2.26) in other patients who exhibited ALNM (p=0.035).

Conclusion

There are no definitive modalities for detecting ALNM in T1 breast cancers to replace sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). If ALNM is suspected based on cMRI and PET/CT, the axillary dissection without SLNB might be a better option because it is related to high possibilities of ALNM and large axillary metastatic volumes.     

Ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide allow for the detection of metastases in normal sized pelvic lymph nodes of patients with bladder and/or prostate cancer

AimLymph node metastases influence prognosis and outcome in patients with bladder and prostate cancer. Cross sectional imaging criteria are limited in detecting metastases in normal sized lymph nodes. This prospective study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of metastases in normal sized lymph nodes using extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) and histopathology as the reference standard.MethodsSeventy-five patients (bladder cancer, n = 19, prostate cancer n = 48, both, n = 8) were examined using 3T MR before and after USPIO-administration. A preoperative reading with two readers in consensus and a second postoperative reading with three independent blinded readers were performed. Results were correlated with histopathology and diagnostic accuracies were calculated for all readings.ResultsA total of 2993 lymph nodes were examined histopathologically. Fifty-four metastatic nodes were found in 20/75 patients (26.7%). The first reading had a sensitivity of 55.0%, specificity of 85.5%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 57.9%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 83.9%, and diagnostic accuracy (DA) of 77.3% on a per patient level. The second reading had a mean sensitivity of 58.3%, specificity of 83.0%, PPV of 58.0%, NPV of 84.4% and DA of 76.4% on a per patient level. The majority of missed metastases were smaller than 5 mm in short axis diameter.ConclusionsUSPIO-enhanced MRI in bladder and prostate cancer patients allows detection of metastases in normal sized lymph nodes and might guide the surgeon to remove suspicious lymph nodes not included in standard PLND.     

[18F]-FDG–PET in clinical stage I/II non-seminomatous germ cell tumours: results of the German multicentre trial

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the predictive values of 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose–positron emission tomography (FDG–PET) in primary staging in patients with newly diagnosed non-seminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) clinical stage I/II.Patients and methodsThe hypothesis was that FDG–PET would improve the negative predictive value (NPV) from 70% to 90%, thus requiring a total of 169 patients. All scans underwent visual analysis by a reference team of nuclear medicine physicians. Results were validated by histology following retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.ResultsOnly 72 of the planned 169 patients were included, due to poor accrual. The prevalence of nodal involvement was 26%. Correct nodal staging by FDG–PET was achieved in 83% compared with correct computed tomography (CT) staging in 71%. CT had a sensitivity and specificity of 41% and 95%, respectively. Positive predictive value (PPV) and NPV were 87% and 67%, respectively. FDG–PET had a sensitivity and specificity of 66% and 98%, respectively. PPV was 95%. The primary end point was not reached, with an NPV of 78%.ConclusionFDG–PET as a primary staging tool for NSGCT yielded only slightly better results than CT. Both methods had a high specificity while false-negative findings were more frequent with CT. FDG–PET is mostly useful as a diagnostic tool in case of questionable CT scan.     

Evaluation of lymph node metastases in gastric cancer using magnetic resonance imaging with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO): diagnostic performance in post-contrast images using new diagnostic criteria

Background  We assessed the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) with new diagnostic criteria, in the evaluation of regional lymph node metastases in gastric cancer. Methods  Thirty-one patients with gastric cancer were enrolled. 1000 lymph nodes were dissected during surgery, and of these, 519 nodes (51.9 %) were identified by currently used MRI imaging analysis. We evaluated lymph nodes on USPIO-post-contrast T2*-weighted images using the following two criteria: (1) we diagnosed the nodes on T2*-weighted images according to conventional criteria, where a node having an overall low signal intensity (pattern A) was nonmetastatic, while a node having partial (pattern B) or overall (pattern C) high signal intensity was metastatic; (2) we subdivided pattern B nodes on T1-weighted images using the new criteria, in which a node for which the high-intensity area on T2*-weighted images was not defined as adipose tissue on T1-weighted images (pattern B1) was metastatic, while a node for which the high-intensity area was defined as adipose tissue (pattern B2) was nonmetastatic. Results  (1) The results using the conventional criteria were 96.2% sensitivity, 92.5% specificity, 76.3% positive predictive value (PPV), 99.0% negative predictive value (NPV), and 93.3% accuracy. (2) The results using the new criteria were 96.2% sensitivity, 98.3% specificity, 90.1% PPV, 99.0% NPV, and 97.1% accuracy. Conclusion  The assessment of lymph node metastases from USPIO-post-contrast MRI alone using the new criteria was useful in the diagnosis of regional lymph node metastases in gastric cancer.     

Usefulness of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography to confirm suspected pancreatic cancer: A meta-analysis

Introduction

Pancreatic cancer is among the five most lethal malignancies in the world. Unfortunately, many malignant tumors go undetected by the current primary diagnostic tools. ¹⁸FDG-PET and ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT might be useful to confirm suspected pancreatic cancer.

Methods

A meta-analysis was performed using all major search engines. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed as well as quality of the PET-protocol. The following pooled estimates served as primary outcome measures: sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy.

Results

Thirty-five studies were included. Pooled estimates for ¹⁸FDG-PET were: sensitivity 90%, specificity 76%, PPV 90%, NPV 76% and accuracy 86%. Pooled estimates for ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT were: sensitivity 90%, specificity 76%, PPV 89%, NPV 78% and accuracy 86%. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for ¹⁸FDG-PET to differentiate between pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis were 90% and 84%, respectively.

Conclusion

Both ¹⁸FDG-PET and ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT offer no benefit over the current primary diagnostic tools in diagnosing pancreatic cancer. However, the ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT systems are still improving. We should investigate the sensitivity and specificity of these new systems while reevaluating the tradeoff between false positive and false negative results. Yet, ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT may have a role in the staging of pancreatic cancer, in survival prediction, and may add to other diagnostic information, like histology.     

18F-FDG PET-CT CT 在诊断乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移状态的对比研究*

目的:通过与CT对比,探讨18F-FDG PET-CT 在诊断乳腺癌患者腋窝淋巴结转移中的价值。方法:回顾性分析22例行乳腺癌改良根治术患者的术前18F-FDG PET-CT 、CT图像。在CT图像上分别以淋巴结最短径>0.5cm（A 标准）、最短径≥1.0cm（B 标准）及最长径≥1.0cm（C 标准）为判定淋巴结转移的标准;在PET-CT 图像上,分别以目测腋窝淋巴结出现18F-FDG 异常放射性浓聚为判定淋巴结阳性的标准（D 标准）及半定量分析法异常放射性浓聚灶最大标准化摄取值（maximum standard uptake value ,SUV max）≥1.0 为判定淋巴结转移标准（E 标准）。 以术后病理为金标准,比较不同影像方法诊断腋窝淋巴结转移状态的价值。结果:乳腺癌患者腋窝阳性与阴性淋巴结在大小及SUV max 方面的差异均具有统计学意义。不同诊断标准中,以PET-CT 的总体诊断准确率及与病理吻合度Kappa 值最高,其中A 标准灵敏度最高（59.3%）而特异度最低（83.5%）;B 标准特异度和阳性预测值最高（分别为98.2% 、72.7%）,而灵敏度和阴性预测值最低（27.1% 、88.4%）;C 标准各项诊断指标相对较差,无突出项;PET-CT 图像目测与半定量诊断结果相同,其诊断准确性（90.1%）、阴性预测值（92.5%）均优于单独CT诊断,且与病理诊断吻合度较好（Kappa 值为0.57）,在诊断灵敏度（55.9%）、特异度（96.1%）及阳性预测值（71.7%）方面与单独CT比较也具较高诊断价值,阳性组SUV max 较阴性组明显为高,二者差异有统计学意义（P=0.000）。 不同影像方法在诊断腋窝淋巴结转移时差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论:18F-FDG PET-CT 是一种直观有效的评价乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移状态的方法。      

Does the subtype of breast cancer affect the diagnostic performance of axillary ultrasound for nodal staging in breast cancer patients?

IntroductionImaging findings can be affected by histopathological characteristics, such as breast cancer subtypes. The aim was to determine whether the diagnostic performance, in particular negative predictive value (NPV), of axillary US differs per subtype of breast cancer.MethodsAll patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2016 in our hospital with primary invasive breast cancer and an axillary US prior to axillary surgery were included. Histopathology of axillary surgery specimens served as gold standard. The NPV, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and accuracy of the axillary US were determined for the overall population and for each subtype (ER+/PR+HER2-,HER2+, triple negative tumors). The Chi-square test was used to determine the difference in diagnostic performance parameters between the subtypes.ResultsA total of 1094 breast cancer patients were included. Of these, 35 were diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, resulting in 1129 cancer cases. Most common subtype was ER+/PR+HER2- in 858 cases (76.0%), followed by 150 cases of HER2+ tumors (13.3%) and 121 cases of triple negative tumors (10.7%). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of axillary US did not significantly differ between the subtypes. There was a significant difference for NPV between triple negative tumors and HER2+ tumors (90.3% vs. 80.2%, p = 0.05) and between HER2+ and ER/PR+HER2- tumors (80.2% vs. 87.2%, p = 0.04).ConclusionThere was no significant difference in the diagnostic performance of axillary US between the subtypes, except for NPV. This was highest in triple negative subtype and lowest in HER2+ tumors. This can be explained by the difference in prevalence of axillary lymph node metastases in our cohort.     

CT对原发性肺癌合并肺门,纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断价值

本文报告50例原发性肺癌病人肺门、纵隔等处摘出的210个淋巴结的病理诊断与胸部CT对照研究,探讨CT诊断肺癌淋巴结转移的价值和转移淋巴结的大小阀值。结果表明CT对诊断肺癌淋巴结转移有重要价值,但在发现某些部位的淋巴结肿大和判断转移的特异性方面有一定限制。在CT上显影的164个淋巴结中,若以长径>15mm作为淋巴结转移的阀值,则敏感性为57％,特异性为91％,准确性为81％,阳性预期值(PPV)71％,阴性预期值(NPV)84％。有46个淋巴结(22％)在CT上未能显示,主要是叶支气管周围及肺韧带淋巴结。作者指出,对肺癌合并肺门、纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断要慎重。     

Preoperative lymph node staging of early-stage cervical carcinoma by [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence has documented the value of positron emission tomography (PET) in oncology, but only limited data are available comparing PET findings with the pathologic status of regional lymph nodes in patients with cervical carcinoma. The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of PET in detecting lymph node metastasis in women with early-stage cervical carcinoma. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of all patients with Stage IA-IIA cervical carcinoma who underwent PET before surgery from 1999 to 2004. The status of the regional lymph nodes was correlated with lymph node pathology. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were identified. Pelvic lymph node metastases were present in 32% of the patients and were detected by PET with a sensitivity of 53%, a specificity of 90%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 71%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 80%. Paraaortic lymph node disease was present in 9% of patients and was detected by PET with a sensitivity of 25%, a specificity 98%, a PPV of 50%, and an NPV of 93%. The mean size of the tumor deposits was larger in the PET-positive pelvic nodes (15.2 mm; range, 2-35 mm) than in the PET-negative lymph nodes (7.3 mm; range, 0.3-20 mm; P = 0.002). Computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained before surgery in 42 patients. The combined sensitivity of PET and CT in these patients was 75%. PET alone detected 9 (36%) of the positive lymph node groups, whereas CT alone detected 3 (12%) of the positive lymph node groups. Neither PET nor CT detected the positive lymph node groups in 8 patients (32%). CONCLUSIONS: Pathologic validation of PET imaging demonstrated a low sensitivity and a high specificity for PET in patients with early-stage cervical carcinoma.     

Imprint cytology of the sentinel lymph node in the assessment of axillary node status in breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Intra-operative assessment of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) status may allow the surgeon to complete the breast cancer surgery in most patients in one sitting. We have studied the role of imprint cytology in the assessment of SLN status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Imprint cytology of the SLN in 132 patients with invasive breast carcinoma was correlated with the histopathological assessment of the SLN and overall axillary nodal status. In 26 patients, the cytology was reported intra-operatively. RESULTS: Imprint cytology reflected the status of the parent node well (sensitivity 86%, specificity 97%, positive predictive value (PPV) 92%, negative predictive value (NPV) 93%). Its ability to reflect the axillary status was also good (sensitivity 70%, specificity 97%, PPV 95% and NPV 83%) but somewhat diminished by the relatively high number of false-negative SLN in the study. Intra-operative assessment (sensitivity 86%, specificity 100%, PPV 100% and NPV 95%) did not reduce the accuracy of imprint cytology in predicting the SLN status and took a mean of 24.5 min. CONCLUSIONS: Imprint cytology is an accurate and relatively simple method for the assessment of the SLN and can be a useful intra-operative tool.     

PET/CT与增强CT诊断头颈肿瘤颈淋巴结转移的对比研究

目的:探讨18F-脱氧葡萄糖(FDG)PET/CT显像与螺旋CT增强扫描检测头颈肿瘤淋巴结转移的临床价值。方法:13个头颈肿瘤病人在颈部手术前,行PET/CT和增强CT检查。术后病理结果作为参考标准,PET/CT与增强CT的发现以左、右颈侧为记录单位进行比较。结果:在21个颈侧清扫(8个双侧,5个单侧)中,共清扫出440个淋巴结,其中的45个颈部淋巴结转移癌分布在14个颈侧。PET/CT检测颈淋巴结转移的敏感性、特异性和准确性分别为86%、100%和90%,增强CT分别为79%、86%和81%,PET/CT诊断的敏感性和准确性均显著高于增强CT(P<0.05)。结论:PET/CT在头颈肿瘤淋巴结转移的诊断中优于增强CT。本文结果为PET/CT在临床和放射影像诊断为颈部淋巴结阴性病人中发现转移的研究提供了可行性依据。     

The role of F-FDG PET/CT for evaluation of metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with lung squamous-cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in depicting metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with lung squamous-cell carcinoma (LSCC) or lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) in a tuberculosis-endemic country.

Methods

This study retrospectively reviewed patients with LSCC or LAC, who underwent preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT to assess mediastinal lymph node metastasis. Patients with the short-axis of mediastinal lymph node ≤ 15 mm were included. PET/CT interpretation was analyzed in two ways. Firstly, with CT for anatomical localization, lymph nodes showing greater ¹⁸F-FDG uptake than vessel pool on PET were regarded malignant. Secondly, lymph nodes with positive uptake on PET were considered malignant, only when nodes had neither calcification nor higher attenuation than vessel pool on CT.

Results

One hundred and sixteen LSCCs and 234 LACs were evaluated. With CT for anatomical localization, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of PET were 78.6%, 45.5%, 53.4%, 31.4% and 87.0% in LSCC group, and 61.8%, 66.3%, 65.0%, 42.9% and 80.9% in LAC group. PET showed higher specificity and accuracy in LAC group compared with LSCC group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.038, respectively). Considering calcification or high attenuation on CT, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of PET/CT were 71.4%, 67.0%, 68.1%, 40.8% and 88.1% in LSCC group, and 54.4%, 86.1%, 76.9%, 61.7% and 82.2% in LAC group. Compared with PET, PET/CT possessed higher specificity and accuracy in LSCC group (p = 0.000 and p = 0.000, respectively), and higher specificity, accuracy and PPV in LAC group (p = 0.000, p = 0.000 and p = 0.022, respectively).

Conclusions

¹⁸F-FDG PET displays limited efficacy in assessing mediastinal lymph node metastasis with the short-axis diameter <15 mm in LSCC and LAC groups and higher false-positivity in LSCC group. The specificity and accuracy in LSCC and LAC groups are enhanced by interpreting attenuation characteristic on CT.     

Clinical value of multidetector row computed tomography in detecting lymph node metastasis of early gastric cancer.

AIMS: To evaluate the clinical value of multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) as a pre-operative staging tool for lymph node metastasis in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC). METHODS: In 278 consecutive patients with EGC, lymph node metastasis was evaluated pre-operatively with MDCT at a slice thickness of 2.5mm (n=57), 5.0mm (n=188), or 7.5mm (n=33). RESULTS: Overall accuracy of nodal category from N0 to N3 was 86% for MDCT and 95% for operative assessment. Regarding accuracy in detecting at least one metastatic lymph node, area under curves (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics for 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5-mm slices and assessment during surgery were 0.87, 0.67 and 0.47, and 0.70, which were significantly different (P<0.0001). MDCT image with 2.5-mm could discriminate the presence of lymph node metastasis with diagnostic accuracy: sensitivity 80%; specificity 92%; positive predictive value (PPV) 50%; negative predictive value (NPV) 98%, whereas assessment during surgery was as follows: sensitivity 65%; specificity 98%; PPV 72%; and NPV 97%. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that pre-operative assessment with MDCT using thinner slices may detect at least one lymph node metastasis as accurately as assessment during surgery for patients with EGC.     

Efficacy of Transvaginal Ultrasound Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Preoperative Assessment of Myometrial Invasion in Patients with Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer: a Prospective Comparative Study

BackgroundWe compared the accuracy of preoperative transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the assessment of myometrial invasion (MI) in patients with endometrial cancer (EC), while definitive histopathological diagnosis served as a reference method.Patients and methodsStudy performed at a single tertiary centre from 2019 to 2021, included women with a histopathological proven EC, hospitalized for scheduled surgery. TVUS and MRI were performed prior to surgical staging for assessment MI, which was estimated using two objective TVUS methods (Gordon’s and Karlsson’s) and MRI. Patients were divided into two groups, after surgery and histopathological assessment of MI: superficial (≤ 50%) and deep (> 50%).ResultsSixty patients were eligible for the study. According to the reference method, there were 34 (56.7%) cases in the study with MI < 50%, and 26 (43.3%) with MI > 50%. Both objective TVUS methods and MRI showed no statistical significant differences in overall diagnostic performance for the preoperative assessment of MI. The concordance coefficient between both TVUS methods, MRI and histopathology was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Gordon’s method calculating MI reached a positive predictive value (PPV) of 83%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 83%, 77% sensitivity, 88% specificity, and 83% overall accuracy. Karlsson’s method reached PPV of 82%, NPV of 79%, 69% sensitivity, 88% specificity, and 80% overall accuracy. Accordingly, MRI calculating MI reached PPV of 83%, NPV of 97%, 97% sensitivity, 85% specificity, and 90% overall accuracy.ConclusionsWe found that objective TVUS assessment of myometrial invasion was performed with a diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of MRI in women with endometrial cancer.Key words: endometrial neoplasms, radiology, oncology, cancer staging     

Diagnostic accuracy of <Superscript>18</Superscript>F–FDG PET/CT and MR imaging in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of 18F–FDG PET/CT (PET/CT) and MRI for local and/or whole-body restaging of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck (ACC).

Methods

Thirty-six patients with ACC underwent conventional MRI of the head and neck and a whole-body PET/CT and were analysed with regards to detection of a local tumor recurrence, lymph node or distant metastases. A consensus interpretation of all available imaging data was used as reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive and negative predictive values were calculated for MRI and PET/CT.

Results

The sensitivity of PET/CT and MRI was 96% (89%), specificity 89% (89%), PPV 96% (96%), NPV 89% (73%) and accuracy 94% (89%) for detection of local tumors. Additionally, PET/CT revealed lymph node metastases in one patient and distant metastases in 9/36 patients. In three patients secondary primaries were found.

Conclusions

Whole-body PET/CT in addition to MRI of the head and neck improves detection of local tumour and metastastic spread in ACC.

     

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for staging of lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Study objectivesRecently, less invasive methods have emerged as potential alternatives for staging with tissue confirmation of suspected metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes in lung cancer. The objective of this review was to assess the overall diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA in detecting metastatic mediastinal lymph node in lung cancer with a meta-analysis.MethodsThe MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cancerlit and Cochrane Library database, from January 1995 to September 2008, were searched for studies evaluating EBUS-TBNA accuracy. Meta-analysis methods were used to pool sensitivity and specificity and to construct summary receiver-operating characteristic.ResultsA total of 11 studies with 1299 patients, who fulfilled all of the inclusion criteria, were considered for the analysis. No publication bias was found. EBUS-TBNA had a pooled sensitivity of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.91–0.94) and a pooled specificity of 1.00 (95% CI, 0.99–1.00). The subgroup of patients who were selected on the basis of CT or PET positive results had higher pooled sensitivity (0.94, 95% CI 0.93–0.96) than the subgroup of patients without any selection of CT or PET (0.76, 95% CI 0.65–0.85) (p < 0.05). Study sensitivity was not correlated with the prevalence of lymph node metastasis. Only two complications occurred (0.15%).ConclusionEBUS-TBNA was an accurate, safe and cost-effective tool in lung cancer staging. The selection of patients who had positive results of suspected lymph node metastasis in CT or PET may improve the sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA. High-quality prospective studies regarding EBUS-TBNA in lung cancer staging are still needed to be conducted.     

A Logistic Model Including Risk Factors for Lymph Node Metastasis Can Improve the Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diagnosis of Rectal Cancer

Background: To evaluate use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a logistic model including risk factorsfor lymph node metastasis for improved diagnosis. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 176 patients withrectal cancer who underwent preoperative MRI. The longest lymph node diameter was measured and a cut-offvalue for positive lymph node metastasis was established based on a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.A logistic model was constructed based on MRI findings and risk factors for lymph node metastasis extractedfrom logistic-regression analysis. The diagnostic capabilities of MRI alone and those of the logistic model werecompared using the area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve. Results: The cut-off value was a diameter of5.47 mm. Diagnosis using MRI had an accuracy of 65.9%, sensitivity 73.5%, specificity 61.3%, positive predictivevalue (PPV) 62.9%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 72.2% [AUC: 0.6739 (95%CI: 0.6016-0.7388)]. Age (<59)(p=0.0163), pT (T3+T4) (p=0.0001), and BMI (<23.5) (p=0.0003) were extracted as independent risk factors forlymph node metastasis. Diagnosis using MRI with the logistic model had an accuracy of 75.0%, sensitivity 72.3%,specificity 77.4%, PPV 74.1%, and NPV 75.8% [AUC: 0.7853 (95%CI: 0.7098-0.8454)], showing a significantlyimproved diagnostic capacity using the logistic model (p=0.0002). Conclusions: A logistic model including riskfactors for lymph node metastasis can improve the accuracy of MRI diagnosis of rectal cancer.