Induced pneumoperitoneum in spiral CT evaluation of gastric cancer

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value and clinical significance of preoperative staging in gastric cancer with induced pneumoperitoneum in spiral CT (SCTPP). Methods: Both routine SCT and SCTPP were performed in 52 lean patients suffered from gastric cancers, and comparison was made between SCT findings and surgical and histopathologic findings. Results: The accuracy of routine SCT and SCTPP in determining the T-staging was 72% and 96%, respectively (x2 = 8.0, P < 0.005). The accuracy in determining N-staging was 85% and 93%, respectively (x2 = 0.006, P > 0.05). The sensitivity in determining M-staging was 61% and 100%, respectively (x2 = 0.04, P < 0.05). The accuracy in determining TNM staging was 81% and 96%, respectively (x2 6.03, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The accuracy of SCTPP in determining preoperative staging of gastric cancer was significantly higher than that of routine SCT. SCTPP has important guiding significance for the selection of the treatment strategy in gastric cancer