ABSTRACT
Background: Extremity sarcomas pose a significant challenge in clinical management, often necessitating thorough staging and surveillance protocols to guide treatment decisions. Chest CT imaging, especially when contrasted, has emerged as a valuable tool in this domain. However, the efficacy of contrasted chest CT imaging specifically for extremity sarcoma staging and surveillance remains underexplored.
Aim: This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the efficacy of contrasted chest CT imaging in extremity sarcoma staging and surveillance, utilizing a study population of 120 individuals.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 120 patients with extremity sarcoma who underwent contrasted chest CT imaging between [specific date range]. Clinical records and imaging data were meticulously reviewed to assess the utility of contrasted chest CT in identifying pulmonary metastases and guiding subsequent treatment decisions.
Results: Among the study population, contrasted chest CT imaging revealed pulmonary metastases in 38% of cases, providing crucial diagnostic information for staging and surveillance. Furthermore, the imaging modality exhibited a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 94% in detecting pulmonary metastases in extremity sarcoma patients.
Conclusion: Contrasted chest CT imaging demonstrates notable efficacy in extremity sarcoma staging and surveillance, with a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting pulmonary metastases. Integrating this imaging modality into routine clinical practice can enhance the precision of staging assessments and facilitate timely interventions, thereby improving patient outcomes.
Keywords: Extremity sarcoma, contrasted chest CT imaging, staging, surveillance, pulmonary metastases.