DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS BETWEEN LUNG CANCER AND BENIGN LUNG DISEASE : A COMPARISON STUDY OF THIN SLICE CT AND OPEN BIOPSY

Abstract

Between 1986 and 1993, 40 patients, in whom lung cancer was suspected, underwent open biopsy : 20 were lung cancer and 20 benign lung disease. Until 1991, conventional Chest CT was used for the diagnosis of 28 patients with an accuracy rate of 57%. Since 1992, thin slice chest CT has been used for the diagnosis in 12 patients with an accuracy rate of 83%. In seven patients with benign lung disease, the diagnosis was preoperatively obtained in 5. meanwhile, lung cancer was preoperatively diagnosed in all five patients. Thin slice chest CT is an effective tool for the differential diagnosis between lung cancer and benign lung disease.