The additional value of SPECT/CT fusion imaging in the diagnosis of ectopic gastric mucosa

Abstract

To evaluate the value of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography fusion alone and in addition to pertechnetate planar imaging in the diagnosis of ectopic gastric mucosa. The retrospective study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China, and comprised medical records from May 2014 to April 2015 of children aged <14 years and suspected of ectopic gastric mucosa. All patients underwent both planar imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography fusion imaging, and were followed up for more than 6 months. The final diagnoses were determined based on the results of pathology and clinical follow-up. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of diagnosing ectopic gastric mucosa were compared by using planar imaging, SPECT/CT fusion imaging and a combination of both. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Of the 41 patients, ectopic gastric mucosa was diagnosed in 24(58.5%) by pathological results or clinical follow-up. Planar imaging suggested 33(80.5%) positive and 8(19.5%) negative cases, while fusion imaging reported 23(56%) and 18(44%) respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of planar imaging were 91.67%? 35.29% and 68.29%, and in fusion imaging they were 91.67%?94.12% and 89.47% respectively. The corresponding values of the combination of two imaging techniques were 91.67%?100% and 95.12% respectively (p=0.006). Kappa value of the diagnostic consistency between fusion imaging and a combination of two imagings was 0.951 (p=0.0001). Planar imaging had a low specificity compared to fusion imaging and a combination of fusion and planar imagings.