Purpose: Evaluation of the diagnostic value of the imaging modalities computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and thoracic sonography in the preoperative staging of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Materials and methods: The diagnostic accuracy of CT (n = 41), MRI (n = 24), and thoracic sonography (n = 37) were evaluated in 51 patients with histologically proven diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma. Values of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy were calculated for the assessment of the diaphragm, lung, thoracic wall, pericardial wall, myocardium, and (retro)peritoneal space.
Results: The accuracy rates for CT were 85%, 98%, 83%, 73%, 71%, and 83%. MRI had an accuracy of 71%, 92%, 71%, 83%, 71%, and 96%, the thoracic ultrasound examinations of 76%, 63%, 51%, 60%, 71%, and 89%.
Conclusions: According to these results CT remains the method of choice in the preoperative assessment of T-stage of malignant pleural mesothelioma. MRI is of nearly the same value, but is not a must. Sonography may be supplementary method for operation planning.