Original Article


Value of 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumors

Zheng Zhu, Yanfeng Zhao, Xin-Ming Zhao, Xiaoyi Wang, Jingrui Dai, Han Ouyang, Chunwu Zhou

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic value of 3.0T MR for differentiating benign from malignant primary retroperitoneal tumors (RPTs).
Methods: A total of 81 patients (44 males and 37 females; 31 benign and 50 malignant lesions) who underwent surgical resection for RPT were evaluated retrospectively. The MR features included lesion location, number, size, margin, surfaces, texture (solid or non-solid), MRhyperintense and MRhypointense signal intensity, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and the presence of fat, necrosis and hemorrhage. Categorical variables were tested with a χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test for the diagnostic indices and the sensitivity and specificity of MR characteristics.
Results: Using six indices (ill-defined margins, irregular surface, major diameter >5.85 cm, minor diameter >5.35 cm, solid texture and ADC <1.2×10–3 mm2/s) to diagnose malignant RPT, sensitivity and specificity were 36.0% vs. 93.5%, 68.0% vs. 58.1%, 80.0% vs. 64.5%, 64.0% vs. 90.3%, 65.0% vs. 63.5%, and 64.0% vs. 74.2%, respectively. Combining all those radiological features into a comprehensive evaluation, sensitivity and specificity were 82.0% and 77.4%, respectively (χ2=27.984, P<0.001) when scores ≥4. Other findings had no statistical significance.
Conclusions: More accurate differential diagnosis of primary RPTs could be made through comprehensive analysis of combined diagnostic indices.

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