Helical CT evaluation in the preoperative staging of gastric adenocarcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study is to evaluate helical CT as a basic preoperative test for the staging of gastric adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
We enrolled 50 patients with a diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma, evaluated helical CT scans, and compared their findings to the microscopic, pathology-confirmed ones obtained by laparotomy. UICC's TNM classification, 5th edition (May 1997), was used.


RESULTS
Best results regarding Sensitivity were obtained in the diagnosis of lymph node disease (83%; 69-92%); regarding specificity we obtained 92% (79-98%) for T4, and 89% (77-96%) in metastasis detection. Accuracy was 70% for T1-T2, and 62% for T3.


CONCLUSIONS
1. For the T category, helical CT effectively detects advanced cases classified as non-resectable. 2. For the N category, helical CT prediction is better than ever before with previous CT generations. 3. For the M category, helical CT is a useful test to identify the presence of liver metastases that would render surgery unnecessary.
Gamón Giner
R
R
General and Digestive Service, Hospital General de Vinaroz, Castellón, Spain. rgamon@comcas.es
Escrig Sos
J
J
Salvador Sanchís
J L
JL
Ruiz del Castillo
J
J
García Vila
J H
JH
Marcote Valdivieso
E
E
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed