THE DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF PET/CT IN DIFFERENTIATING BENIGN FROM MALIGNANT ADRENAL GLAND NODULES IN CANCER PATIENTS WITH SUSPICIOUS ADRENAL NODULES USING HISTOPATHOLOGICAL AS GOLD STANDARD.
Main Article Content
Keywords
Adrenal nodules, Positron Emission Tomography, Diagnostic accuracy, Oncologic patients
Abstract
Background: The adrenal gland, known for its metastatic propensity, often hosts accompanying lesions, making the distinction between malignancy and benign adenomas crucial in oncologic patients. Accurate characterization is vital, enabling informed management decisions and prognostic evaluations while minimizing unnecessary biopsies.
Objective: The study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) in differentiating between benign and malignant adrenal nodules in cancer patients with suspicious adrenal nodules, using histopathology as the gold standard at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi.
Methodology: The study, designed as a cross-sectional investigation, took place at the Department of Radiology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi. Conducted over six months, from 26-03-21 to 26-09-21, the research involved the prospective collection of data from 123 patients meeting diagnostic criteria. Verbal consent was obtained, and the data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics for quantitative variables and frequency percentages for qualitative variables. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, along with diagnostic accuracy, were calculated for the assessment of the study's objectives.
Results: The study incorporated a total of 123 patients meeting the specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age of participants was 50.14±10.49 years, with a gender distribution of 63 (51.2%) males and 60 (48.8%) females. Analysis of the data revealed that among these patients, the diagnostic performance of PET/CT for identifying malignant adrenal nodules, using histopathology as the gold standard, resulted in a sensitivity of 89.7%, specificity of 86.6%, positive predictive value of 92.1%, negative predictive value of 82.9%, and an overall diagnostic accuracy of 88.6%.
Conclusion: PET/CT demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity for the characterization of adrenal masses.
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Radha
FCPS in Diagnostic Radiology, Consultant Radiologist, JPMC Karachi - Pakistan
Rabail Khaskheli
FCPS, Consultant in Diagnostic Radiology, LUMHS, Jamshoro - Pakistan
Shafaq Aijaz
Consultant Diagnostic Radiology, PUMHS, Nawab Shah - Pakistan
Farida Zafar Shakir
MCPS, FCPS, Consultant Diagnostic Radiology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi - Pakistan
Safia Ilyas
FCPS trainee Diagnostic Radiology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Science Hospital, Jamshoro - Pakistan
Kanwal
FCPS trainee Diagnostic Radiology department, Civil hospital, Hyderabad - Pakiatan
Neelam Maharjan
Mbbs, Fcps Radiologist Nepal Mediciti Hospital Kathmandu-Nepal.