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Published on: October 17, 2013
Rectal tumor stage: correlation of endorectal MR imaging and pathologic findings
M D Schnall1, E E Furth, E F Rosato
1Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
Purpose:
To develop magnetic resonance (MR) imaging criteria for staging rectal cancer.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty-six patients with rectal tumors underwent MR imaging with an endorectal surface coil. MR images were compared with specimens from the resected tumor.
Results:
Rectal wall layers were reliably demonstrated. The MR imaging-determined tumor stage agreed with pathologic findings in 81% of cases. A retrospective review found the integrity of the rectal wall layers at the lesion center an accurate criterion for interpreting the local extent of the lesion. Lymph nodes as small as 2 mm were demonstrated. Although sensitive for demonstrating perirectal adenopathy, MR imaging had a specificity of only 72% for N1 disease.
Conclusion:
Endorectal surface coil MR imaging shows promise for staging rectal lesions. Additional studies are necessary to further establish criteria for interpreting the images.
