Table 3 Accuracy of interpretation of computed tomography (CT) scans versus integrated whole body positron emission tomography with 18‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose/CT (FDG‐PET/CT) fusion images for staging of intrathoracic lymph nodes in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
| All lymph nodes n = 105 | Benign lymph nodes n = 67 (64%) | Malignant lymph nodes n = 38 (36%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CT read‐out | |||
| CT positive (short axis range 10–40 mm) | 58 (55%) | 26 (39%) | 32 (84%) |
| CT negative (short axis range 1–9 mm) | 47 (45%) | 41 (61%) | 6 (16%) |
| CT sensitivity | 84 (68–93) | ||
| CT specificity | 61 (48–73) | ||
| CT LR+ | 2.17 (1.56–3.02) | ||
| CT LR– | 0.26 (0.12–0.55) | ||
| PET/CT read‐out | |||
| PET/CT positive (fusion images) | 42 (40%) | 10 (15%) | 32 (84%) |
| PET/CT negative (fusion images) | 63 (60%) | 57 (85%) | 6 (16%) |
| PET/CT sensitivity | 84 (68–93) | ||
| PET/CT specificity | 85 (74–92) | ||
| PET/CT LR+ | 5.64 (3.13–10.16) | ||
| PET/CT LR– | 0.19 (0.09–0.39) | ||
LR+, positive likelihood ratio; LR–, negative likelihood ratio.
Statistical analysis CT vs integrated PET/CT read‐out: sensitivity, NS; specificity, p = 0.002; positive likelihood ratio, p<0.001; negative likelihood ratio, NS.