The diagnostic role of CT, MRI/MRCP, PET/CT, EUS and DWI in the differentiation of benign and malignant IPMN: A meta-analysis

Clin Imaging. 2021 Apr:72:183-193. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2020.11.018. Epub 2020 Dec 2.

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic properties of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI/MRCP) /Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in distinguishing benign and malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN).

Materials and methods: Eligible databases were searched for eligible studies, published through July 2020 on the diagnostic accuracy of these modalities. Diagnostic accuracy parameters, including sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC) were calculated. Meta-regression was performed to identify the source of heterogeneity.

Results: In total, 28 studies were included. Pooled sensitivities for CT, MRI/MRCP, PET/CT, EUS and DWI were 0.7, 0.76, 0.8, 0.6 and 0.72, respectively. Pooled specificities were 0.78, 0.83, 0.9, 0.8 and 0.97. The DORs were 8, 16, 35, 6 and 88. The areas under the curve (AUC) of SROC for CT, MRI/MRCP/MRCP, PET/CT, EUS and DW were 0.8, 0.87, 0.92, 0.79 and 0.82, respectively.

Conclusion: PET/CT showed the highest AUC and the overall diagnostic accuracy results support the use of MRI/MRCP, PET/CT interchangeably as a first-line examination in the diagnosis of malignant IPMN. With regard to DWI, EUS and CT, each techniques have their advantages and supportive to MRI/MRCP.

Keywords: CT; DWI; EUS; Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN); MRI/MRCP; Meta-analysis; PET/CT.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed