Objective:

To investigate the clinical value of enhanced 128-detector CT scan in the preoperative staging of colorectal cancer.

Methods:

CT data of 30 patients with pathologically proved colorectal cancer were retrospectively reviewed (14 male and 16 female). Enhanced CT with multi-planner reconstruction was done to get CT staging. CT staging and pathological staging were compared.

Results:

In the 30 patients

22 (73%) tumors were correctly T-staged by CT. In T staging

the accuracy was 60% for T1+T2

78% for T3

and 100% for T4. The

sensitivity

specificity

positive predictive value and negative predictive value of diagnosing the invasion of plasma membrane were 80%

60%

80% and 60%

respectively. Nineteen (63%) tumors were correctly N-staged by CT. In N staging

the accuracy was 85% for N0

14% for N1

and 33% for N2

respectively. The sensitivity

specificity

positive predictive value and negative predictive value of diagnosing the lymph node metastasis were 40%

85%

57%

73%

respectively.

Conclusion:

Enhanced CT has some value in diagnosing T-staging

invasion of plasma membrane

N-staging and lymph node metastasis. The diagnostic accuracy of invasion of plasma membrane by enhanced 128-detector CT scan is comparatively high.