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A proposal for combined MRI and PET/CT interpretation criteria for preoperative nodal staging in non-small-cell lung cancer

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Abstract

Objectives

To determine the positive reading criteria for malignant nodes when interpreting combined MRI and PET/CT images for preoperative nodal staging in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Forty-nine patients with biopsy-proven NSCLC underwent both PET/CT and thoracic MRI [diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)]. Each nodal station was evaluated for the presence of metastasis by applying either inclusive (positive if either one read positive) or exclusive (positive if both read positive) criteria in the combined interpretation of PET/CT and MRI. Nodal stage was confirmed pathologically. The combined diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT and MRI was determined on per-nodal station and per-patient bases and compared with that of PET/CT alone.

Results

In 49 patients, 39 (19%) of 206 nodal stations harboured malignant cells. Out of 206 nodal stations, 186 (90%) had concordant readings, while the rest (10%) had discordant readings. Inclusive criteria of combined PET/CT and MRI helped increase sensitivity for detecting nodal metastasis (69%) compared with PET/CT alone (46%; P = 0.003), while specificity was not significantly decreased.

Conclusion

Inclusive criteria in combined MRI and PET/CT readings help improve significantly the sensitivity for detecting nodal metastasis compared with PET/CT alone and may decrease unnecessary open thoracotomy.

Key Points

• Combined interpretation of MRI and PET/CT enhances the detection of nodal metastasis.

• Inclusive criteria of combined MRI/PET/CT improved the sensitivity for detecting nodal metastasis.

• Combined interpretation of MRI and PET/CT may reduce unnecessary open thoracotomies.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by the Clinical Research Development Program (CRL-110-01-1).

Author information

Author notes

  1. Yoo Na Kim

    Present address: Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology and the Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Yoo Na Kim, Chin A Yi, Kyung Soo Lee, Ho Yun Lee, Tae Sung Kim & Myung Jin Chung

  2. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    O Jung Kwon & Man Pyo Chung

  3. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Byung-Tae Kim & Joon Young Choi

  4. Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Seon Woo Kim

  5. Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Joungho Han

  6. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 135-710, Korea

    Young Mog Shim

  7. Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Ilwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Republic of Korea

    Chin A Yi

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  1. Yoo Na Kim
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Correspondence to Chin A Yi.

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Kim, Y.N., Yi, C.A., Lee, K.S. et al. A proposal for combined MRI and PET/CT interpretation criteria for preoperative nodal staging in non-small-cell lung cancer. Eur Radiol 22, 1537–1546 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2388-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2388-3

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