MRI and CT in the differential diagnosis of pleural disease

Chest. 2000 Sep;118(3):604-9. doi: 10.1378/chest.118.3.604.

Abstract

Study objective: To explore the role of MRI in the differential diagnosis of pleural disease.

Patients: Forty-two patients with pleural disease were included.

Method: Retrospective study. All patients were examined with both CT and MRI. The morphologic features of pleural lesions and magnetic resonance signal intensity on T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images were evaluated.

Results: Mediastinal pleural involvement, circumferential pleural thickening, nodularity, irregularity of pleural contour, and infiltration of the chest wall and/or diaphragm were most suggestive of a malignant cause both on CT and MRI. Pleural calcification on CT was suggestive of a benign cause. Contrary to what has been previously reported in the literature, neither on CT nor on MRI, pleural thickness >1 cm revealed significant difference between malignant and benign pleural disease (p>0.05, chi(2) test). High signal intensity in relation to intercostal muscles on T2-weighted and/or contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images was significantly suggestive for a malignant disease. Using morphologic features in combination with the signal intensity features, MRI had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 93% in the detection of pleural malignancy.

Conclusion: When signal intensity and morphologic features are assessed, MRI is more useful and therefore superior to CT in differentiation of malignant from benign pleural disease.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleura* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleura* / pathology
  • Pleural Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*