Value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer.

Abstract

Objective To evaluate multi-slice spiral computed tomography(MSCT)in the diagnosis and preoperative staging of gastrointestinal cancer.Methods (1)Three hundred and thirty-two gastric cancer patients underwent preoperative MSCT examination.The staging of gastric cancer by MSCT was compared with histological examination.(2)Seventy-three small intestinal cancer patients underwent preoperative MSCT,and 70 healthy adults were selected as normal contr01.The MSCT images of small intestinal lymphoma and small intestinal cancer were compared with those of normal small intestine.(3)Two hundred and twenty-eight colorectal cancer patients underwent preoperative MSCT,and the features of the MSCT images of colorectal cancer were analyzed by chi-square test.Results (1)The overall accuracy of MSCT in the assessment of gastric wall invasion,lymph node metastasis and distal metastasis were 78.2%(244/312),67.3%(210/312)and 93.8%(30/32),respectively.More information such as the location of lesions and the vessels around the stomach couldbe provided by MSCT image.(2)Abdominal masses,diffuse thickening of intestinal wall and intestinal obstruction were the main features of small intestinal cancer,while mesenterie and retroperitoneal lymph nodes metastases were rarely detected.The presentation of small intestinal lymphoma detected by MSCT were completely the opposite.(3)Signs such ascoarse surfaceandheterogeneous enhancementwere important to the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.The measurement of the MSCT value is helpful in the differential diagnosis of colorectal cancer and colonic inflammation.Conclusions MSCT can provide correct imaging information on the diagnosis and preoperative staging of gastrointestinal cancer.The combination of MSCT and endoscopy can improve the accuracy of diagnosis. Key words: Gastric neoplasms; Colonic neoplasms; Multi-slice spiral computed tomography; Diagnosis