A prospective study on role of PET-CT in the evaluation of lung masses in a tertiary care center

Background: Lung cancer is a leading cause of death in both men and women worldwide. For the past decades, Computed Tomography (CT) has been the gold standard imaging method in oncology. It has been used for initial staging, tumor evaluation after treatment, and follow-up of patients with cancer. The PET-CT scanners are essentially full ring coincidence detectors, the P.E.T. portion, physically mounted together with CT systems of various types. AIM: To study diagnostic role and accuracy of PET-CT in evaluating lung masses in our study population. Material & Methods: Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional study , Study area: The study was done in the Department of Radiodiagnosis & Dept.of.Nuclear medicine, Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad. , Study Period: 1st Feb. 2011 to 30th June 2011. , Study population: patients who were recommended and referred for the evaluation of lung masses detected on chest x-ray or by CT., Sample size: All the patients who were referred for lung masses evaluation, within the study period. Samplingmethod: Purpose or convenient sampling method. Study tools: The machine used for this study is Siemens biograph sensation 16. Ethical consideration: Institutional Ethical committee permission was taken prior to the commencement of the study. Data collection procedure: After obtaining institutional Ethical clearance, the purpose of the study was explained to the patients and their consent was taken in this regard. Observations & Results: The mean and SD of age of the study population was 61.233 ± 10.101. Out of 30 patients, 10 (33%) patients were females and 20 (67%) patients were males. Conclusion: PET CT is sensitive for detecting sub clinical adenopathy and osseous involvement