Diagnostic value of multidetector computed tomography in differentiation of benign and malignant omental lesions

Abstract Objective To assess the diagnostic value of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in differentiation of benign and malignant omental lesions. Patients and methods MDCT scan was performed for 37 patients with omental lesions after administration of oral and intravenous contrast. The CT diagnosis was compared with the final histopathological findings. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of MDCT were calculated using surgical and histopathological findings as the gold standard. Results MDCT findings of all cases with omental torsion, cystic lymphangioma, and loculated fluid in the greater omentum correlated with the surgical and histopathological findings with 100% diagnostic accuracy. However, the diagnosis was missed in two patients from seven (2/7) with tuberculous peritonitis and in two patients from 21 (2/21) with peritoneal carcinomatosis with sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 73%, 92%, 85% and 90%, 95%, 93%, respectively. Conclusion MDCT is an excellent diagnostic tool for evaluating omental lesions, especially those present with nonspecific clinical manifestations.