Rectal tumours--MR imaging with endorectal and/or phased-array coils, and histopathological staging on giant sections. A comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the accuracy of MR imaging in the preoperative staging of patients with clinically resectable rectal tumours.


METHODS
Forty-eight consecutive patients with rectal tumours were examined, 29 with a pelvic phased-array coil and 19 with a multi-coil arrangement including a pelvic phased-array coil and an endorectal coil. MR images and histopathological specimens and sections were reviewed independently and tumours were staged according to the TNM classification.


RESULTS
A more complete visualisation of the various layers of the rectal wall was achieved on the endorectal MR images than on the pelvic phased-array images. The sensitivity of MR in correctly staging T3 tumours compared with histopathology was 81% with a specificity of 82%. Penetration of the rectal wall was predicted with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 87%. Sensitivity and specificity in predicting lymph node metastases was 83% and 74% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
MR imaging with both pelvic phased-array and endorectal coils allowed the preoperative staging of rectal tumours with a high degree of accuracy.
Blomqvist
L
L
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Holm
T
T
Rubio
C
C
Hindmarsh
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010388:Pelvis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity