Assessment of primary gynecologic malignancies: comparison of 0.15-T resistive MRI with CT

Thirty-eight patients with gynecologic malignancies (ovarian, cervical, and endometrial carcinoma) underwent computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen and pelvis. Results of these studies were compared with each other as well as with clinical staging and surgical findings when possible. CT and MRI correctly staged 64% (nine of 14) of patients with cervical carcinoma. In patients suspected of residual or recurrent disease, CT and MRI were each correct in 75% (15 of 20), four of the errors being due to inability to distinguish inflammation or radiation changes from recurrent tumor. CT and 0.15-T resistive MRI are of equal value in screening for residual or recurrent disease and as an adjunct to clinical staging; further advances in MRI technology may alter this impression.