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Noninvasive evaluation of mediastinal metastases in bronchogenic carcinoma: A prospective comparison of chest radiography and gallium‐67 scanning
Author(s) -
Lunia Shanti L.,
Ruckdeschel John C.,
McKneally Martin F.,
Killam Donald,
Baxter Donald,
Kellar Sarah,
Ray Pranab,
McIlduff Joseph,
Lininger Lloyd,
Chodos Robert,
Horton John
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19810215)47:4<672::aid-cncr2820470409>3.0.co;2-1
Subject(s) - medicine , mediastinoscopy , radiography , radiology , bronchogenic carcinoma , carcinoma , mediastinum , gallium , isotopes of gallium , lung cancer , gallium 67 scan , scintigraphy , pathology , chemistry , organic chemistry
Evaluation of regional node involvement in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma is a crucial step in determining therapy and prognosis. Mediastinoscopy has been recommended for staging all potentially operable cases, but technical limitations and the need for anesthesia make this impractical. Gallium‐67 scanning and chest radiography were prospectively compared as noninvasive means of evaluating spread to regional nodes in 75 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma in whom histologic evaluation of hilar and mediastinal nodes was performed. Gallium scanning was more accurate than chest radiography in assessing regional nodes (overall accuracy 85.3% vs. 56%, P < 0.05). When positive, both procedures correctly indicate malignant involvement of regional nodes (85% vs. 87.3%). A negative gallium scan, however, was significantly more accurate in predicting the absence of such involvement (80% vs. 40%, P < 0.01). Gallium scanning appears to be a reliable, noninvasive means of assessing mediastinal spread of bronchogenic carcinoma and when used in conjunction with radiographic findings, allows selection of appropriate patients for surgical staging procedures.