[Correlation of CKP and VEGF expression and microvessel density to spiral CT manifestations of thymoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation of cytokeratin pan (CKP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and microvessel density (MVD) to spiral CT manifestations of thymoma.


METHODS
Eighty-four thymoma patients were underwent spiral CT examination, and 40 of the patients also had enhanced CT examination. All the CT findings were carefully reviewed to analyze their correlation to the expressions of CKP, VEGF and MVD.


RESULTS
The enhancement on spiral CT images increased with the levels of VEGF expression and MVD counting (P<0.01). Significant correlations were observed between VEGF expression, MVD counting and such spiral CT findings as lobular contours, cusp-like or sawtooth-like margins and tumor invasions of the pleural membrane, pericardium and great vessels (P<0.05). CKP expression showed no obvious correlation to these findings by spiral CT.


CONCLUSIONS
Spiral CT can reflect the pathological characteristics of thymoma, and may serve as a noninvasive modality for preoperative evaluation of thymoma.
Yang
Yan
Y
Department of Radiology, Lanzhou General Hospital of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China. yangyan-yy.2008@yahoo.com.cn
Liu
Bin
B
Li
Zhong-hua
ZH
Song
Jin-wen
JW
Yin
Jian-guo
JG
Yang
Jun
J
Liu
Xiao-hong
XH
Ning
Ji-jun
JJ
Shi
Xin-xia
XX
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels; D008875:Middle Aged; D013945:Thymoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D007633:Keratins