MRI in staging of endometrial and cervical carcinoma

MRI of 54 patients with endometrial and cervical carcinoma was performed on a 0.6-T superconducting magnet. In 18 of 24 cases of surgically proved endometrial carcinoma, MRI accurately showed the depth of myometrial invasion. MRI was superior to CT scan for defining the primary site and extent of the tumor in 14 of 24 cases. Of 25 patients with cervical carcinoma studied, MRI was superior to CT scan in 15 of 19 cases with CT correlation for localizing the primary site. MRI showed parametrial extension and invasion of surrounding structures but is probably less reliable than CT scan for detection of adenopathy because of false positive findings from volume averaging with bowel.