Endo-ultrasonography for preoperative staging of rectal cancer

Twenty-five intrarectal ultrasound (US) scannings were performed preoperatively for assessing the depth of infiltration of rectal neoplasms. One tumour located in the distal rectum could not be visualized on the ultrasonogram. US could correctly identify extraintestinal infiltration in 13 out of 14 cases with proved extrarectal involvement on histopathological examination. The overall accuracy of US in demonstrating tumour growth outside the rectal wall was 88%, sensitivity 93% and specificity 80%. Intrarectal US is a useful additional method in the preoperative evaluation of rectal neoplasms and provides more information about the depth of tumor infiltration compared with conventional methods thus helping decide the most appropriate therapy for the patient.