Accuracy of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in staging bronchogenic carcinoma

Sixty-three patients with non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma were prospectively and independently assessed by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before surgery. Images were interpreted by four radiologists who had no knowledge of other imaging studies, except chest x-ray, and were blinded to surgical findings. The data were compared with pathologic and histologic findings. The accuracies of CT and MRI in determining tumor classification and assessing mediastinal and hilar lymph node metastases were compared. Sensitivity of CT in determining T factor was 78%, and specificity was 96%. The values for MRI were 84% and 96%, respectively. There was no significant difference between CT and MRI in staging tumors. MRI is more accurate than CT in diagnosing mediastinal invasion in staging superior sulcus tumors and complex tumors. There was no significant difference between the accuracies of CT and MRI in detecting mediastinal node metastases; the sensitivities were 82% and 90%, respectively, and specificities were 88% and 93%, respectively.