[Comparison between PET/CT and MRI in diagnosing lymph node metastasis and N staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the clinical significance of PET/CT and MRI in diagnosing lymph node metastasis and N staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).


METHODS
116 NPC patients had undergone PET/CT and MRI before therapy. The findings of PET/CT and MRI in diagnosing lymph node metastasis and N staging were compared according to the results of follow-up.


RESULTS
A total of 614 lymph nodes in 116 patients were analyzed. 340 positive nodes and 274 negative nodes interpreted by image findings were verified during follow-up. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of PET/CT in diagnosing node metastasis was 93.2%, 98.2% and 95.4%, while that of MRI was 88.8%, 91.2% and 89.9%, respectively, with statistically significant difference in each between PET/CT and MRI (P < 0.05). Based on Fuzhou Staging System, 109 patients (94.0%) were correctly staged by PET/CT, and 103 patients (88.8%) by MRI, while according to UICC Staging System, 108 patients (93.1%) were correctly staged by PET/CT, and 100 patients (86.2%) by MRI.


CONCLUSIONS
PET/CT is superior to MRI in diagnosing lymph node metastasis and N staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The false-positive and false-negative assessment based on PET-CT scan findings may be caused by: (1) inflammatory hyperplastic node; (2) node with large areas of necrosis; (3) node in diameter less than spatial resolution limitation of PET.
Zhang
Gu-yi
GY
State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
Hu
Wei-han
WH
Liu
Li-zhi
LZ
Wu
Hu-bing
HB
Gao
Yuan-hong
YH
Li
Li
L
Pan
Yi
Y
Wang
Quan-shi
QS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity