EVALUATION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE AND SPIRAL CT FOR DIAGNOSIS IN ATHLETES WITH HEPATIC CYSTIC LESIONS: SENSITIVITY, SPECIFICITY, AND DIAGNOSTIC VALUE

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to compare the diagnostic efficacy, including sensitivity and specificity, of spiral CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying hepatic cystic space-occupying diseases in athletes, a population with specific health considerations and physical demands. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 96 athletes admitted to our hospital from December 2021 to November 2022, who were suspected of having hepatic cystic space-occupying diseases. Pathological diagnosis served as the gold standard. Each athlete underwent both MRI and spiral CT scans to evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of these imaging modalities in detecting various hepatic cystic conditions. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MRI and spiral CT were compared. Results: For hepatic cystic space-occupying diseases in athletes, MRI demonstrated a diagnostic accuracy of 91.67%, sensitivity of 91.94%, specificity of 91.18%, positive predictive value of 95.00%, and negative predictive value of 86.11%. In contrast, spiral CT showed diagnostic accuracy of 76.04%, sensitivity of 79.03%, specificity of 70.59%, positive predictive value of 83.05%, and negative predictive value of 64.86%. MRI was superior in diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value compared to spiral CT (P < 0.05). The detection rates for different types of hepatic cystic diseases (hepatapostema, hepatic hydatid cyst, tumor cystic degeneration, developmental cystic lesions) were slightly higher with MRI than with spiral CT, although not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In the athletic population, both MRI and spiral CT are valuable tools for diagnosing hepatic cystic space-occupying diseases, with MRI showing higher diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The choice between MRI and spiral CT should be tailored to the individual athlete's condition, considering the superior performance of MRI in accurately diagnosing and managing hepatic cystic conditions in this specific group. This distinction is crucial for athletes, as optimal liver health directly impacts physical performance and overall well-being, underscoring the need for precise diagnostic tools in this specialized population.