[The value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary lesions: a Meta-analysis.].
OBJECTIVE
Using Meta analysis to evaluate the value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT ((18)fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron emission tomography/computed tomography) in differentiating between benign and malignant pulmonary lesions.


METHODS
Relevant documentations from PubMed and other 5 databases from 1980 to 2008 were searched, and the eligible literatures according to the inclusive criteria were selected. The statistical information and quality of science were assessed and classified. The data were analyzed using Meta-Disc1.4 software. The diagnostic value of PET/CT in distinguishing benign from malignant pulmonary lesions was evaluated by the pooled sensitivity, specificity, the likelihood ratio (LR) and summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC curve) statistical indicators.


RESULTS
Seven literatures were collected including 5 in English and 2 in Chinese, and 795 cases were included in the study. Heterogeneity test showed that the homogeneity of the study was good. By using deterministic models to analyze the data, the value of the weighted sensitivity was 95% (93% - 97%), the specificity was 77% (71% - 82%), the positive likelihood ratio was 4.12, negative likelihood ratio was 0.08, and the SROC area under the curve (area under curve, AUC) was 94%.


CONCLUSIONS
PET/CT is of high diagnostic value in differentiation between benign and malignant lung lesions, but large sized, multicenter, prospective studies are needed to assess its clinical value more accurately.
Huo
Shu-Fen
SF
Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
Shu
Bo-Xue
BX
Yang
Shuan-Ying
SY
DU
Jie
J
Lin
Xiu-Li
XL
Shang
Wen-Li
WL
Bu
Li-Na
LN
Nan
Yan-Dong
YD
Tian
Ying-Xuan
YX
Liu
Hong-Tao
HT
Liu
Yan-Feng
YF
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18