Role of Multi-Slice CT in Staging of Neuroblastoma

Abstract

Background: The International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System (INRGSS) is a recent pretreatment staging system for neuroblastoma (NB), based on imaging by CT before surgery. Purpose: this study aimed to stage NB cases using CT scan, in relation to available clinicopathologic data. Patients and Methods: Twenty pathologically proven NB cases were included. All were reviewed for patients' characteristics, includingage; sex, clinical picture, LN status and metastatic spread. All cases underwent CT scan for diagnosis. Stagingwas done using IDRFs, LN status and metastatic spread according to the INRGSS and INSS when available. Results: an abdominal mass was found in 85% of cases and the suprarenal gland was the most common site of primary tumor (50% of cases). Concerning tumor grade, 85 % of cases were poorly differentiated. LNs were positive in 70%, and metastatic spread was found in 35% of patients respectively. Staging according to the INRGSS showed that L2 was the most common stage (45% of cases), followed by M stage (35%). L1 and MS stages were found in 15% and 5% of cases respectively. Only 7 cases had postsurgical CT scans, and were staged according to the INSS. Conclusion: it was concluded that the use of the INRGSS using CT scan, is a recent valuable pretreatment staging system, allowing accurate classification of neuroblastoma.