Author/Authors :
Imaad-ur-Rehman Aga Khan University Hospital - Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Pakistan , Memon, Wasim Aga Khan University Hospital - Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Pakistan , Husen, Yousuf Aga Khan University Hospital - Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Pakistan , Akhtar, Waseem Aga Khan University Hospital - Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Pakistan , Sophie, Raafay Aga Khan University Hospital - Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Pakistan , Baig, Muhammad Akbar Aga Khan University Hospital - Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Pakistan
Abstract :
Objective: To evaluate accuracy of Computed Tomography (CT) for diagnosing malignancy in solitary pulmonary lesions (SPLs).Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 20-01-2007 to 30-06-2008 at the Radiology department, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Karachi. Fifty-three patients with solitary pulmonary lesions (SPLs) seen in prior chest x-rays or chest CT scans were referred to radiology department for CT guided biopsy.CT scan was performed for each patient prior to biopsy and CT evaluation of the SPLs was performed followed by CT guided Biopsy. Histopathological diagnosis of the lesion was taken as the gold standard.Results: CT was found to be 100% sensitive, 30% specific and 87% accurate for diagnosing malignancy in solitary pulmonary lesions while PPV and NPV were 86% and 100% respectively.Conclusion: CT scan is highly sensitive yet non-specific and cannot be used as the definitive diagnostic modality for diagnosing malignancy in solitary pulmonary lesions.
