title: A meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic value of dual-time-point F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the efficacy of dual-time-point (DTP) F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in diagnosing pulmonary nodules.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using computer and manual search, the current research about the efficacy of DTP F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing pulmonary nodules was collected. According to the evaluation criteria of Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies Scale, the data from 13 studies were analyzed by Meta-DiSc software, and the sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), diagnostic odds ratios (DOR), positive likelihood ratios (LR+), and negative likelihood ratios (LR-) were summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 13 articles were included in this study, involving 962 patients. The meta-analysis showed that the rough Sen of DTP PET/CT was 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-0.84, I2 = 83.2%), the summary Spe was 0.75 (95% CI 0.71-0.79, I2 = 89.3%), the summary LR + and LR- were 2.57 (95% CI 1.54-4.29) and 0.28 (95% CI 0.16-0.5), respectively, and DOR was 10.01 (95% CI 3.83-26.18).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DTP F-FDG PET/CT has similar Sen and Spe, with single-time-point PET/CT in diagnosing pulmonary nodules. Further high-quality research is required to explore the potential value of DTP F-FDG PET/CT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100853 Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100853 Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yongfu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100853 Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100853 Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yuqi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18