Diagnostic Accuracy of Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Mediastinal Masses Keeping Histopathological Findings as Gold Standard
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v6i5.2285Keywords:
Mediastinal masses, computed tomography, histopathology, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar.Abstract
Mediastinal masses include a wide spectrum of benign and malignant lesions, and accurate preoperative diagnosis is essential for timely management. Computed tomography is commonly used for anatomical localization and characterization, but its diagnostic performance should be validated against histopathology. Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in the diagnosis of mediastinal masses keeping histopathological findings as gold standard. Methods: This study was conducted on 165 patients, aged 5 to 70 years, suspected of mediastinal masses with dysphagia, dyspnoea, fever above 38°C, or chest pain scoring > 3 on the visual analogue scale ta the Department of Diagnostic Radiology. Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from 12-July-2024 to 12-January-2025. Those with contrast hypersensitivity, estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 ml/min/1.73 m², vascular/cardiac masses, and pregnancy were excluded. All patients underwent computed tomography followed by histopathological assessment. The diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography was calculated using a 2×2 contingency table with histopathology as the reference standard. Results: The mean age was of 165 patients was 35.97±19.70 years and 94 (57.0%) were male. Histopathology confirmed 70 (42.4%) malignant mediastinal masses. Computed tomography identified 71 (43%) positive cases. The sensitivity of computer tomography was 92.86%, specificity 93.68%, positive predictive value was 91.55%, negative predictive value was 94.68%, and diagnostic accuracy was 93.33%. Conclusion: Computed tomography is a highly efficient, accurate and effective tool for the diagnosis of mediastinal masses, with diagnostic accuracy of 93.33%.
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