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Category: Volume 07 Issue 11 November 2019
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Title: Validity of Computed Tomography in Differentiating Malignant and Benign Lung Lesions

Authors: Dr Mathew Koshy, Dr Mathew George, Dr Geena Benjamin

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i11.140

Abstract

Background: In the present world, the most common cause of cancer associated death is lung cancer, among both males and females.1 Computed tomography gives a sharper anatomic and morphologic description of the lung lesion as opposed to plain radiography. Features of benign and malignant lesions are said to be better differentiated using computed tomography.2 Considering the absence of standardized guidelines for reporting lung lesions, a study to find the validity of computed tomography in differentiating the malignant and benign nature of a pulmonary lesion would be appropriate in this setting.

Aim: To find the sensitivity and specificity of Computed Tomography in differentiating malignant and benign lung lesions as opposed to its histopathological diagnosis.

Materials and Methods: Patients sent to the Department of Radiodiagnosis, for imaging and CT guided lung biopsy are chosen for the study. The CECT images of the patient are studied and a radiological diagnosis is made based on the findings. The histopathological report will be correlated with the radiological diagnosis on terms of benign and malignant nature of the lesion. The duration of study is 18 months from January 2018 onwards and the CT equipment used for the study is GE Healthcare Optima CT660 128 slice.

Result: In this study we have evaluated the sensitivity (83.3%) and specificity (50%) of Computed tomography in differentiating benign and malignant lesions. Overall diagnostic accuracy was determined to be 75%.

Conclusion: In conclusion computed tomography is useful in differentiation of benign and malignant lung lesions.The differentiation of benign from malignant lung lesions is of great value because the therapeutic approach is different for both entities.

Keywords: CT, Computed tomography, Thorax, Biopsy.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Mathew George

Assistant Professor, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala