CT and ultra low field (0.02 T) MR imaging of uterine cervical carcinoma

Nineteen pelvic MR and 21 CT examinations were performed in 21 patients with uterine cervical carcinoma. The results were compared with clinical (FIGO) staging in all patients, and with the histopathologic results after operation in 8. In the evaluation of local tumor growth CT agreed with clinical staging in 29%, MR imaging with clinical staging in 47% and CT with MR in 53%. The greatest discrepancy between the imaging methods and clinical examination was in the evaluation of parametrial extension. From 8 Stage I tumors with surgical confirmation the local tumor growth was overestimated with CT in 3 cases, with clinical examination in 2 and with MR imaging in 2 cases. CT and MR imaging at 0.02 T did not differ in the evaluation of parametrial tumor growth. Clinical examination overestimated parametrial growth but was relatively accurate in detecting vaginal wall involvement. MR imaging at 0.02 T is a convenient, inexpensive and accurate method for the local staging of early uterine cervical carcinoma.