FDG/PET and spiral CT image fusion for medistinal lymph node assessment of non-small cell lung cancer patients

J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino). 1999 Oct;40(5):741-8.

Abstract

Background: To assess the potential usefulness of 18F-FDG/PET and spiral-CT images concurrent assessment and coregistration in staging mediastinal lymph node involvement in patients with non small cell lung cancer.

Methods: 28 patients waiting to undergo surgical treatment underwent spiral-CT and PET examinations on the same day. The results of the two studies were interpreted separately, together (CT&PET) and following their fusion in a single image (CT+PET). Results of spiral-CT, PET, CT&PET and CT+PET were assessed with respect to the histological diagnosis.

Results: A correct assessment of mediastinal lymph nodes was achieved by spiral-CT in 21 of the 28 patients, in 22 of the 28 patients by PET, in 24 patients by CT&PET and in 25 patients by CT+PET.

Conclusions: CT+PET is more accurate than spiral-CT and PET alone in staging mediastinal lymph node involvement in lung cancer patients, with possible implications for their prognosis and therapy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lymph Nodes* / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymph Nodes* / pathology
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Male
  • Mediastinum
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Observer Variation
  • Prognosis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed* / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18