Relation between preoperative CT findings in rectal cancer and local recurrence rate. A pilot study

To identify predictive factors of local recurrence possible to use as criteria for preoperative radiotherapy, we reviewed the CT scans of 51 patients undergoing curative resection for rectal cancer. Seven patients developed local recurrence. The presence of the CT images of spicular structures or a fibrous soft tissue layer around the rectum was related to extrarectal spread with a positive predictive value of 88% (30/34) when compared with the pathology. Six out of 34 cases with these CT findings developed recurrence, compared to only one out of 17 cases without such findings. The recurrence rate was especially high, (4/14), in patients where the abnormal tissue as judged by CT was attached to the perirectal fascia or extended beyond it. CT may be a useful tool for predicting local recurrence by using the perirectal fascia as a diagnostic marker.