[MRT, CT and sonography in the preoperative assessment of the primary tumor spread in malignant pleural mesothelioma].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the diagnostic value of the imaging modalities computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and thoracic sonography in the preoperative staging of malignant pleural mesothelioma.


METHODS
The diagnostic accuracy of CT (n = 41), MRI (n = 24), and thoracic sonography (n = 37) were evaluated in 51 patients with histologically proven diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma. Values of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy were calculated for the assessment of the diaphragm, lung, thoracic wall, pericardial wall, myocardium, and (retro)peritoneal space.


RESULTS
The accuracy rates for CT were 85%, 98%, 83%, 73%, 71%, and 83%. MRI had an accuracy of 71%, 92%, 71%, 83%, 71%, and 96%, the thoracic ultrasound examinations of 76%, 63%, 51%, 60%, 71%, and 89%.


CONCLUSIONS
According to these results CT remains the method of choice in the preoperative assessment of T-stage of malignant pleural mesothelioma. MRI is of nearly the same value, but is not a must. Sonography may be supplementary method for operation planning.
Layer
G
G
Radiologische Universitätsklinik Bonn. Layer@mailer.meb.uni-bonn.de
Schmitteckert
H
H
Steudel
A
A
Tuengerthal
S
S
Schirren
J
J
van Kaick
G
G
Schild
H H
HH
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010994:Pleura / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data