title: Cervical carcinoma: assessment of parametrial invasion and lymph node metastasis with magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical tumor staging of cervical carcinoma has its limitations. The purpose of this study was to stage cervical carcinoma by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with an emphasis on the assessment of parametrial invasion and pelvic lymph node metastasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  MRI was performed in 51 women with tissue-proven cervical carcinoma 2 weeks prior to surgery. Images were analyzed for parametrial invasion, pelvic lymph node metastasis and tumor stage. The results were compared with the histopathologic findings after surgery in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In assessing parametrial invasion, MRI had an accuracy of 94%. In assessing pelvic lymph node metastases, MRI was accurate in 86.3% of cases. In determining stage of disease, MRI had an accuracy of 76.5%. The accuracy of MRI in differentiating localized (< or = stage IIA) from advanced disease (> or = stage IIB) was 94.1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI is accurate in the evaluation of parametrial invasion and lymph node metastases and in the differentiation of localized and advanced disease. MRI is beneficial in planning treatment for patients with cervical cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Sheu
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Yen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*