Ultrasound for the diagnosis of gout—the value of gout lesions as defined by the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology ultrasound group

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 239-249
Author(s):  
Sara Nysom Christiansen ◽  
Mikkel Østergaard ◽  
Ole Slot ◽  
Viktoria Fana ◽  
Lene Terslev
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Reference Standards ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Ultrasound Findings ◽  
Ultrasound Assessment ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Ultrasound Group ◽  
Msu Crystals

Abstract Objective To evaluate ultrasound for diagnosing gout using consensus-based Outcome Measures in Rheumatology ultrasound definitions of gout lesions. Methods Ultrasound was performed in patients with clinically suspected gout. Joints (28) and tendons (26) were binarily evaluated for the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology gout lesions—double contour (DC), tophus, aggregates and erosions. Ultrasound assessment was compared with two reference standards: (i) presence of MSU crystals in joint/tophus aspirate (primary outcome) and (ii) ACR/EULAR 2015 gout classification criteria (secondary outcome). Both reference standards were evaluated by rheumatologists blinded to ultrasound findings. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of each ultrasound lesion against both reference standards were determined. Results Eighty-two patients (70 men), mean age 62.4 (range 19–88) years, were included. Fifty-seven patients were MSU-positive whereas 25 patients were MSU-negative (no MSU crystals: 23; aspiration unsuccessful: 2). Of these 25 patients, three patients were classified as ACR/EULAR-positive (i.e. totally 60 ACR/EULAR-positive patients). All ultrasound lesions had high sensitivities for gout (0.77–0.95). DC and tophus showed high specificities (0.88–0.95), positive predictive values (0.94–0.98) and accuracies (0.82–0.84) when both reference standards were used. In contrast, low specificities were found for aggregates and erosions (0.32–0.59). Ultrasound of MTP joints for DC or tophus, knee joint for DC and peroneus tendons for tophus was sufficient to identify all MSU-positive patients with ultrasound signs of gout at any location. Conclusion Ultrasound-visualized DC and tophus, as defined by the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology ultrasound group, show high specificities, positive predictive values and accuracies for diagnosing gout and are therefore valid tools in clinical practice.

Feasibility of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System Classification in Predicting Thyroid Malignancy

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (12) ◽  
pp. 1345-1349
Author(s):  
Ahmet Cem Dural ◽  
Nuri Alper Sahbaz ◽  
Cevher Akarsu ◽  
Sezer Akbulut ◽  
Rustu Turkay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Data System ◽  
Thyroid Malignancy ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Thyroid Imaging ◽  
Ultrasound Findings ◽  
Risk Of Malignancy ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TIRADS) in the estimation of malignancy and assess the concordance between TIRADS and the histopathology results of the postoperative specimens. Consecutive ultrasound imaging records of patients with multinodular goiter from January 2010 to December 2017 who underwent surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The risk of malignancy of each TIRADS category was determined, and correlation with pathology was assessed. The patients with malignant cytology findings (Bethesda 6) who were categorized TIRADS 6 were excluded from the study. The positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the TIRADS classification were calculated on a 2 x 2 table with their own formulas. A total of 1457 patients were evaluated, and 1122 of these were included in the study. The risk of malignancy for nodules evaluated as TIRADS 2 was 0.6 per cent, TIRADS 3 was 13.1 per cent, TIRADS 4a was 20 per cent, TIRADS 4b was 61.1 per cent, TIRADS 4c was 85.7 per cent, and TIRADS 5 was 93.3 per cent. The positive predictive value of TIRADS classification was found to be 43.4 per cent, negative predictive value was found to be 90.7 per cent, sensitivity was found to be 78 per cent, specificity was found to be 68.4 per cent, and accuracy was found to be 70.7 per cent for our institution. The TIRADS classification based on suspicious ultrasound findings is reliable in predicting thyroid malignancy and can be routinely used in daily practice.

scholarly journals THU0414 ORDINARY LIGHT MICROSCOPY IS ABLE TO IDENTIFY MOST CRYSTAL-CONTAINING SYNOVIAL FLUIDS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 444.1-445
Author(s):  
J. A. Bernal ◽  
M. Andres ◽  
S. López Salguero ◽  
V. Jovani ◽  
P. Vela-Casasempere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Diagnostic Yield ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
First Order ◽  
Polarized Microscopy ◽  
Ordinary Light ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Msu Crystals

Background:Optical microscopy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of crystal arthropathies. The complete protocol consists of three phases. In the first stage, microscopy with simple light provides information on the morphology of the crystal. The second stage, polarized light, allows detecting the intensity of the birefringence. Finally, with the first-order red compensator, the type of elongation is detected, positive for calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystals and negative for monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. Finally, with the obtained data, the presence and type of crystals is concluded.Objectives:Analyze the validity and agreement of each stage of microscopy regarding the conclusion, emphasizing ordinary light microscopy.Methods:Fifty consecutive samples of synovial fluid obtained in routine clinical practice were independently analyzed under the compensated polarized microscope by 5 observers blinded to clinical data (250 observations in total). Each observer recorded the presence and type of crystals at each stage and reached a conclusion after gathering all the information. To estimate the diagnostic yield of each microscope stage, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values, as well as the accuracy (number of correct observations/number of total observations), were calculated; also, the total weighted kappa was used to assess the degree of agreement with the complete protocol.Results:Main results of the study are shown in Table 1. Regarding diagnostic yield, ordinary light microscopy showed excellent sensitivity, specificity and predictive values, similar to the results noted with simple and compensated polarized microscopy.Table 1.In parentheses, 95% confidence intervals.AccuracySensitivitySpecificityPositive predictive valueNegative predictive valueKappaOrdinary light96.8%(93.8-98.4)97.2%(93.1-98.9)96.2%(90.7-98.5)97.2%(93.1-98.9)96.2%(90.7-98.5)0.954(0.919-0.989)Simple polarized light92.0%(88.0-94.8)84.1%(76.8-89.5)100%(97.0-100)100%(96.5-100)86.1%(79.5-90.8)0.874(0.821-0.927)Compensated polarized light97.6 %(94.9-98.9)95.5%(89.8-98.0)99.3%(96.1-99.9)99.1%(94.8-99.8)96.5%(92.1-98.5)0.962(0.933-0.992)Diagnoses established by ordinary light microscopy matched conclusions (accuracy) in 242/250 (96.8%) observations. Discrepant cases were crystals missed under ordinary light in 4 cases (3 MSU, 1 CPP), and 4 samples with CPP crystals initially seen but later concluded their absence. Interestingly, lowest accuracy was seen with simple polarization; CPP crystals were not detected in 20 out of 93 observations with CPP (21.5%). The accuracy of compensated polarized light was similar to ordinary light. On 5 occasions no crystals were seen but finally they were present (1 MSU, 4 CPP); on the contrary, CPP was registered in one observation but the conclusion indicated no crystals.Regarding agreement with the complete protocol, the kappa with simple light is 0.954, similar to compensated polarized light (0.962), while simple polarized light showed the lowest agreement (0.874).Conclusion:Ordinary light microscopy is enough to correctly reach the majority of diagnoses, with a very high degree of agreement with the complete protocol. Results were comparable to using a compensated polarized microscopy. Thus, if a microscope with polarizer and first-order compensator was not available, using ordinary light would be enough on most occasions. Polarized light microscopy better identifies MSU crystals, but over 20% of CPP crystals were missed at this stage, reinforcing the value of the ordinary light microscopy.Acknowledgments:Thanks to Loreto Carmona for the help with the statistical aspects.Disclosure of Interests: :None declared

Admission Ambulation Velocity Predicts Length of Stay and Discharge Disposition Following Stroke in an Acute Rehabilitation Hospital

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meheroz H. Rabadi ◽  
Alan Blau
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Stroke Rehabilitation ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Rehabilitation Unit ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Discharge Disposition ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Poststroke functional outcome and discharge disposition are influenced by age, lesion location and size, severity of neurological insult, prior functional ability, and social support. The effect of admission ambulation velocity on length of stay and discharge disposition has not been previously reported. Design. Prospective, cohort study. Setting. Designated acute stroke rehabilitation unit. Method. 373 patients consecutively admitted to a designated inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit were studied. The study sample was divided into 2 groups, based on admission ambulation velocity (meters/second) during a 2-min timed walk test. Fast ambulators had an ambulation velocity of greater than 0.15 m/s, whereas slow ambulators had an ambulation velocity of 0.15 m/s or less, and also included nonambulators. Interventions. None. Outcome Measures. Primary outcome measures were length of stay and discharge disposition. Secondary outcome measures were change in the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores and change in ambulation velocity per week. Continuous, ordinal, and nominal variables were analyzed using the Student t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values assessed admission ambulation velocity as a predictor of discharge disposition. Results. Patient variables for slow ambulators (n = 226) versus fast ambulators (n = 147) were as follows: age (68 ± 13 SD vs. 69 ± 12, P = 0.32), male-female ratio (100:126 vs. 78:69, P = 0.09), admission total FIM score (52 ± 17 vs. 77 ± 16, P < 0.0001), change in total FIM score (20 ± 12 vs. 16 ± 12, P < 0.003), change in ambulation velocity per week (0.05 ± 0.06 vs. 0.13 ± 0.30, P < 0.0001), length of stay in days (30 ± 28 vs. 17 ± 19, P < 0.0001), and discharge disposition: home/skilled nursing facility (133/91 vs. 133/13, P < 0.0001). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (based on chi-square analyses) for admission fast ambulators as a predictor of home discharge were 0.5, 0.87, 0.91, and 0.41, respectively. Admission ambulation velocity alone correctly identified discharge disposition in 78% of the patient population, based on logistic regression analysis (P < 0.0001). Conclusion. Admission ambulation velocity can predict length of stay and discharge disposition poststroke. This effect is independent of age and admission total FIM score.

scholarly journals Foundational Statistical Principles in Medical Research: Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive Value, and Negative Predictive Value

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 503
Author(s):  
Thomas F. Monaghan ◽  
Syed N. Rahman ◽  
Christina W. Agudelo ◽  
Alan J. Wein ◽  
Jason M. Lazar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Predictive Value ◽  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Disease Prevalence ◽  
Positive Test Result ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Test Result ◽  
Test Probability

Sensitivity, which denotes the proportion of subjects correctly given a positive assignment out of all subjects who are actually positive for the outcome, indicates how well a test can classify subjects who truly have the outcome of interest. Specificity, which denotes the proportion of subjects correctly given a negative assignment out of all subjects who are actually negative for the outcome, indicates how well a test can classify subjects who truly do not have the outcome of interest. Positive predictive value reflects the proportion of subjects with a positive test result who truly have the outcome of interest. Negative predictive value reflects the proportion of subjects with a negative test result who truly do not have the outcome of interest. Sensitivity and specificity are inversely related, wherein one increases as the other decreases, but are generally considered stable for a given test, whereas positive and negative predictive values do inherently vary with pre-test probability (e.g., changes in population disease prevalence). This article will further detail the concepts of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values using a recent real-world example from the medical literature.

scholarly journals Value and Diagnostic Efficacy of Fetal Morphology Assessment Using Ultrasound in A Poor-Resource Setting

Diagnostics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ukweh ◽  
Ugbem ◽  
Okeke ◽  
Ekpo
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Likelihood Ratios ◽  
Diagnostic Efficacy ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Resource Setting ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Background: Ultrasound is operator-dependent, and its value and efficacy in fetal morphology assessment in a low-resource setting is poorly understood. We assessed the value and efficacy of fetal morphology ultrasound assessment in a Nigerian setting. Materials and Methods: We surveyed fetal morphology ultrasound performed across five facilities and followed-up each fetus to ascertain the outcome. Fetuses were surveyed in the second trimester (18th–22nd weeks) using the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) guideline. Clinical and surgical reports were used as references to assess the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound in livebirths, and autopsy reports to confirm anomalies in terminated pregnancies, spontaneous abortions, intrauterine fetal deaths, and still births. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Area under the curve (AUC), Youden index, likelihood ratios, and post-test probabilities. Results: In total, 6520 fetuses of women aged 15–46 years (mean = 31.7 years) were surveyed. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 77.1 (95% CI: 68–84.6), 99.5 (95% CI: 99.3–99.7), and 88.3 (95% CI: 83.7–92.2), respectively. Other performance metrics were: positive predictive value, 72.4 (95% CI: 64.7–79.0), negative predictive value, 99.6 (95% CI: 99.5–99.7), and Youden index (77.1%). Abnormality prevalence was 1.67% (95% CI: 1.37–2.01), and the positive and negative likelihood ratios were 254 (95% CI: 107.7–221.4) and 0.23 (95% CI: 0.16–0.33), respectively. The post-test probability for positive test was 72% (95% CI: 65–79). Conclusion: Fetal morphology assessment is valuable in a poor economics setting, however, the variation in the diagnostic efficacy across facilities and the limitations associated with the detection of circulatory system anomalies need to be addressed.

scholarly journals Prediction of preeclampsia using a combination of serum micro RNA-210 and uterine artery Doppler ultrasound

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 003685042110368
Author(s):  
Ananya Trongpisutsak ◽  
Vorapong Phupong
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Doppler Ultrasound ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Early Onset ◽  
Uterine Artery ◽  
Micro Rna ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Uterine Artery Doppler ◽  
Early Onset Preeclampsia ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

The objective was to determine whether a combination of serum micro RNA-210 level and uterine artery Doppler can predict preeclampsia in pregnant women at 16–24 weeks gestation. A prospective observational study conducted in singleton pregnant women at 16–24 weeks of gestation who had prenatal care at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand between 2017 and 2018. Uterine artery Doppler ultrasound and blood testing for serum micro RNA-210 were performed. Pregnancy outcomes were recorded. Optimal cut-off for uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) and serum micro RNA-210 were obtained to calculate the predictive values for preeclampsia. Data from 443 participants were analyzed. Twenty-two cases developed preeclampsia (5.0%) and seven of these preeclamptic cases had early-onset preeclampsia (1.6%). Pregnant women with preeclampsia had higher mean PI of the uterine artery (1.34 ± 0.52 vs 0.98 ± 0.28, p = 0.004), higher detection rates of diastolic notching (45.5% vs 11.2%, p < 0.001), and lower median serum micro RNA-210 level (22.86 vs 795.78, p < 0.001) than pregnant women without preeclampsia. Using abnormal serum micro RNA-210 level, abnormal mean PI or uterine artery diastolic notches to predict for preeclampsia, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 95.5%, 54.9%, 10.0%, and 99.6%, respectively. For early-onset preeclampsia prediction, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 100.0%, 53.2%, 3.3%, and 100.0%, respectively. This study demonstrated that a combination of serum micro RNA-210 and uterine artery Doppler is effective in predicting preeclampsia in the second trimester.

scholarly journals Clinical Performance of the Spot Vision Photo Screener before and after Induction of Cycloplegia in Children

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konuralp Yakar
Keyword(s):  
Positive Predictive Value ◽  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Screening Criteria ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Vision Screener

Aim. To compare the clinical performance of the Spot Vision Screener used to detect amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) in children before and after induction of cycloplegia; the children were referred because they met the screening criteria of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). Methods. The Spot Vision Screener and a standard autorefractometer were used to examine 200 eyes of 100 children aged 3–10 years, before and after cycloplegia induction, in terms of ARFs. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the detection of significant refractive errors were measured using the AAPOS referral criteria. It was explored that Spot Screener data were affected by cycloplegia. The extent of agreement between cycloplegic/noncycloplegic photoscreening data and cycloplegic autorefraction measurements was assessed using Wilcoxon and Spearman correlation analyses. Results. The Spot’s sensitivity was improved from 60.9% to 85.3% and specificity from 94.9% to 87.4% with cycloplegia compared to cycloplegic standard autorefractometer results. The positive predictive value of Spot was 75.7%, and the negative predictive value was 90.4% without cycloplegia. With cycloplegia, the positive predictive value of Spot was 63.6% and the negative predictive value was 95.8%. Conclusions. The Spot Screener afforded moderate sensitivity and high specificity prior to cycloplegia. The sensitivity and negative predictive value improved after induction of cycloplegia. Examiners should be aware of the effects of cycloplegia on their findings.

scholarly journals An assessment of chromosomal alterations detected by fluorescence in situ hybridisation in pancreatobiliary tract malignancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohong Pu ◽  
Hongwei Zheng ◽  
Xin Yang ◽  
Qing Ye ◽  
Zhiwen Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
In Situ Hybridisation ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Chinese Patients ◽  
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded ◽  
9P21 Locus ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Background Using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) to detect any gain of chromosomes 3, 7, or 17 and loss of the 9p21 locus has been proven to be sensitive in the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary tumors. However, both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of pancreatobiliary tumors. Therefore, it is unknown whether this method is suitable for Chinese patients with pancreatobiliary tumors. This study aims to compare the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and accuracy of cytology, ERCP/MRCP and FISH based on Chinese patients with pancreatobiliary tumors,and to analyze differences between brushing-based and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE)-based FISH. Methods A total of 66 brush cytology specimens obtained during ERCP were detected by FISH and cytology test respectively to compare the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and accuracy. Besides, FFPE-based FISH was performed on 46 corresponding paraffin sections of pancreatobiliary tumors obtained by surgical resection. Results Our findings demonstrate that FISH greatly improves diagnostic sensitivity and negative predictive value compared to ERCP/MRCP and cytology without much reduction in specificity and positive predictive value. However, our results also indicate that FFPE-based FISH could not effectively identify the false-negative of brushing-based FISH. Conclusions We believe that FISH can effectively distinguish true positive and false positive results of cytological or radiological suspicions of malignancy. However, FFPE-based FISH still does not precisely recognize the false-negative of brushing-based FISH. Both cytology-based and PPFE-based FISH had limitation in some specimens.

Interpretations of the dial test should be reconsidered. A diagnostic accuracy study reporting sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 198-204
Author(s):  
Richard Norris ◽  
Christian Kopkow ◽  
Michael James McNicholas
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Knee Ligament ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Medial Knee ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Dial Test

ObjectivesTo determine the accuracy of the dial test, used alone and in combination with additional clinical tests, in the diagnosis of an isolated posterolateral corner (PLC) injury, combined PLC-posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury or medial knee injury.MethodsA retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic and/or open knee ligament reconstruction surgery was conducted. The dial test was performed in an outpatient’s clinic as part of a routine knee examination. Examination under anaesthetic and intraoperative findings were used as the reference standard test to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the dial test used alone and in combination with other PCL and medial knee tests. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR−) were calculated with corresponding 95% CI.ResultsData from 87 patients were available and included in the data analysis. For an isolated PLC injury, the dial test sensitivity and specificity were 0.20 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.39) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.00). The PPV and NPV were 1.00 (95% CI 0.52 to 1.00) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.80). LR+ and LR− of the dial test detecting isolated PLC injury were infinity (95% CI calculation not possible, infinity) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.41 to 1.57). The diagnostic accuracy of the dial test, when used alone and in combination with other PCL and medial knee tests, was also calculated for combined PLC-PCL and medial knee injuries.ConclusionA negative dial test at 30° of knee flexion can rule out a PLC injury, while a test that is positive at 30° and negative at 90° indicates a PLC injury, without concomitant injury to the PCL or medial knee ligaments. A positive test at both 30° and 90° can indicate isolated PLC, combined PLC-PCL or medial ligament injuries, and other knee examination findings are required to differentially diagnose these injury patterns.Level of evidenceII.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Glomus Tumours of the Hand

2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. AL-QATTAN ◽  
A. AL-NAMLA ◽  
A. AL-THUNAYAN ◽  
F. AL-SUBHI ◽  
A. F. EL-SHAYEB
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Senior Author ◽  
Glomus Tumour ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Final Histological Diagnosis ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Negative Imaging

This paper studies the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of MRI in the diagnosis of glomus tumours of the hand and investigates the final diagnosis and outcome in cases with false positive or negative imaging tests. A total of 42 cases with the clinical diagnosis of a glomus tumour were included in the study. All patients underwent MRI and the results of MRI were correlated with the final histological diagnosis of the excised lesion. MRI had a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 50%, a positive predictive value of 97% and a negative predictive value of 20%. The four cases in which the MRI was negative all proved histologically to be glomus tumours. All four tumours were small (2–3 mm in diameter) and the lack of delineation of the lesions by MRI was attributed to their small size. Despite negative MRIs, surgical exploration identified the glomus tumours. Based on the results of the current study and the cost of MRI, the senior author has stopped ordering pre-operative MRIs in patients clinically diagnosed with a glomus tumour.

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