MDCT for differentiation of category T1 and T2 malignant lesions from benign gastric ulcers.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate MDCT parameters for differentiating malignant (category T1 and T2) from benign gastric ulcers and to evaluate the performance characteristics of these predictors with optimal cutoff points determined in receiver operator characteristic analysis.


METHODS
The subjects were 26 patients with gastric cancer (11 with T1 lesions, 15 with T2 lesions) and 26 patients with benign gastric ulcer. MDCT and virtual gastroscopic findings were analyzed according to four qualitative criteria: ulcer shape, base, and margin and changes in adjacent folds. The quantitative criteria ulcer size, thickness of the gastric wall around an ulcer, thickness of the enhanced ulcer base, and enhancement around an ulcer were measured on multiplanar reconstruction images. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of each quantitative criterion. Receiver operator characteristic analysis was used to identify cutoff points yielding optimal sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of gastric cancer.


RESULTS
On virtual gastroscopy, ulcer shape and margin and gastric fold changes had sensitivities of 80.8%, 84.6%, and 90.9% and specificities of 76.9%, 73.1%, and 77.8%, respectively, in the diagnosis of gastric cancer. On multiplanar reconstruction images, thickness of the enhanced ulcer base and enhancement around the ulcer had sensitivities of 80.8% and 73.1% and specificities of 100% and 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
MDCT combined with virtual gastroscopy and multiplanar reconstruction enhances the morphologic details of gastric ulcers and is a useful way to differentiate malignant (T1 and T2) and benign gastric ulcers.
Chen
Chiao-Yun
CY
Department of Medical Imaging, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Wu
Deng-Chyang
DC
Kuo
Yu-Ting
YT
Lee
Chien-Hung
CH
Jaw
Twei-Shiun
TS
Kang
Wan-Yi
WY
Hsu
Jui-Sheng
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*