Comparison of the use of the transrectal surface coil and the pelvic phased-array coil in MR imaging for preoperative evaluation of uterine cervical carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of fast spin-echo MR imaging that uses a transrectal surface coil with the accuracy of fast spin-echo MR imaging that uses a pelvic phased-array coil for preoperative local staging of uterine cervical carcinoma.


METHODS
Sixty-two patients with pathologically confirmed invasive cervical carcinoma who underwent MR imaging using both a pelvic phased-array coil and a transrectal surface coil were retrospectively evaluated. Both sets of images were reviewed in random order by three observers who then reached a consensus opinion at a second session. Among the 28 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy, findings from MR imaging and pathologic staging were compared. In the remaining nonsurgical cases, findings from MR imaging using a transrectal surface coil and MR imaging using a pelvic phased-array coil were compared with findings from pelvic examinations under general anesthesia.


RESULTS
MR imaging using a transrectal surface coil revealed 50 (88%) of the 57 tumors found at surgery, and MR imaging using a pelvic phased-array coil revealed 44 (77%) of the 57 tumors, resulting in a statistically significant (p < .05) difference. In patients who underwent surgery (n = 28), the accuracy of the overall staging and the parametrial evaluation were not significantly different for MR imaging using a transrectal surface coil and MR imaging using a pelvic phased-array coil (89% and 96%, respectively, on MR imaging using a transrectal surface coil; 89% and 93%, respectively, on MR imaging using a pelvic phased-array coil). For the patients who did not undergo surgery (n = 34), MR imaging using a transrectal surface coil and MR imaging using a pelvic phased-array coil corresponded in 82% for overall staging and in 92% for parametrial invasion.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a transrectal surface coil improved detection of small tumors of the uterine cervix but did not significantly improve the accuracy of overall staging or the accuracy of assessment of parametrial invasion.
Kim
M J
MJ
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chung
J J
JJ
Lee
Y H
YH
Lee
J T
JT
Yoo
H S
HS
D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery