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| The value of single photon emission computed tomography/spiral computed tomography fusion imaging forthe differential diagnosis of benign and malignant skull lesions |
| HAN Peng-hui, ZHANG Shu-xu, GE Yong-bing, REN Zhi-gang, ZHANG Guo-qian |
| Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510095, China |
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Abstract Objective: To evaluate the value of single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT)/spiral computed tomography(CT) fusion imaging in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant skull lesions. Methods: Nineteen cancer patients with 21 skull lesions on whole-body bone scan(WBS) were recruited and underwent SPECT/CT fused imaging of the head. The images were evaluated by two independent reviewers. The patients underwent MRI and/or CT examinations within two weeks after SPECT/CT. An average follow-up interval after SPECT/CT was 9 months to correlate with additional radiologic imaging studies and clinical informations. Results: Ten lesions were classified as metastatic lesions and 11 lesions were classified as benign based on the other radiological examinations performed at the same period and follow-up. The SPECT/CT correctly identified 10 out of 10 metastatic lesions and 8 out of 11 benign lesions, 85.71% of lesions were correctly classified. One lesion was classified incorrectly as metastatic lesion with SPECT/CT while it was proven benign by other imaging modalities and follow-up. Two lesions remained indeterminate even after the SPECT/CT examination and were confirmed benign by other imaging modalities and follow-up. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of SPECT/CT images in the diagnosis of malignant skull lesions were 100.00%, 88.89%, 90.91% and 100.00%, respectively. Conclusions: SPECT/spiral CT can help identify benign versus metastatic skull lesions with high sensitivity and specificity.
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Received: 27 October 2011
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2012, Vol. 23 
