Preoperative evaluation of bronchogenic carcinoma: value of MR in T- and N-staging.
Seventy consecutive patients with a bronchogenic carcinoma, in whom chest radiographs did not allow a sufficient evaluation of primary tumor localization or extension were examined by MR (1T). All diagnoses were confirmed by operation and histopathologic examination (Stage T1: 6 patients, Stage T2: 36 patients, Stage T3: 19 patients, Stage T4: 9 patients). T-staging was correct in 79% of patients. Significant infiltration of major bronchi, of the pericardium, heart, mediastinal fat and chest wall can be visualized with a reasonable degree of accuracy. N-staging based on lymph-node size was correct in 56%. A correlation between lymph-node size and metastatic involvement was not found. MR is limited by the spatial resolution, by the lack of tissue specificity and by artifacts. MR is a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of the primary tumor extension, however, especially in borderline cases histopathologic examination is required. A reliable N-staging is not possible based on lymph-node size measurement.
Mayr
B
B
Department of Radiology, Klinikum Grosshadern, Munich, F.R.G.
Lenhard
M
M
Fink
U
U
Heywang-Köbrunner
S H
SH
Sunder-Plassmann
L
L
Permanetter
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011300:Preoperative Care