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

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), MR hyperintense and MR hypointense signal intensity, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and the presence of fat, necrosis and hemorrhage. Categorical variables were tested with a χ 2 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 –3 mm 2 /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 ( χ 2 =27.984, P Conclusions: More accurate differential diagnosis of primary RPTs could be made through comprehensive analysis of combined diagnostic indices.