[Computerized tomography of the thorax in evaluation of resectability of pulmonary carcinoma]

A group of 49 patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma was investigated at the Clinic of Pulmonary Diseases of the Military Medical Academy in the period 01.01.1995.-01.03.1999. In all patients were performed bronchoscopy, ultrasound of the abdomen and computed tomography (CT) of the thorax. The patients suspected to have locoregionally disseminated disease were selected. The aim of the investigation was to estimate the reliability of CT of the thorax in the evaluation of the possibility for lung carcinoma resection. The findings were confirmed either by invasive diagnostic procedures and/or during thoracotomy. During the evaluation of the direct invasion of mediastinal organs, sensitivity of the method was 48% and specificity was 89%. In the evaluation of the mediastinal lymph node metastases by CT scan, sensitivity of the method was 68.4% and specificity was 81.3%. Reliability of CT of the mediastinum was significantly higher in the detection of lymph nodes suspected to be metastatically altered than in the evaluation of the direct carcinoma invasion into mediastinal organs.