[Computerized and magnetic resonance tomography in the staging of lung cancer]

CT (157) and MRI (74) potential in lung cancer staging was studied. Central form was identified in 195 patients (75%). The data were compared in 34. Comparison with surgical evidence was carried out in 47 (CT) and 35 (MRI). Both procedures proved valuable. Use of CT cut down the gap between the results of clinical and surgical evaluation to 17%. Higher precision was achieved by MRI application which was demonstrated by a comparison of the sensitivities of both procedures attained in evaluating the three parameters. The sensitivities of MRI (96%) and CT (90%) in the detection of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy were almost identical. MRI was superior to CT in detecting large vessel involvements (sensitivities--91 and 42%, respectively) as well as those of the pleura, pericardium and thoracic wall.