[The place of computed tomography in the staging of bronchial carcinoma. A retrospective study]

The conventional radiological and CT findings in 347 patients with confirmed bronchial carcinomas have been compared. In 184 patients subjected to surgery, the post-operative TNM classification was compared with the pre-operative CT staging. It was found that CT staging of the T-classification was correct in 82% and of the lymph nodes in 62.5% of cases. CT had a sensitivity of 92% and 95% for the recognition of mediastinal and bronchopulmonary lymph nodes, respectively, and a specificity of 68% and 57%. In 163 patients not subjected to surgery the reasons for avoiding operation were also studied. In more than 80% of these patients it was the CT findings which had indicated that the patient was inoperable.