The ability of helical CT to preoperatively stage endometrial carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated helical CT as an imaging modality for preoperative staging of endometrial carcinoma.


METHODS
Three radiologists retrospectively and independently reviewed the preoperative helical CT scans of 25 consecutive patients with endometrial carcinoma. The presence or absence of deep myometrial invasion and the presence or absence of cervical involvement were evaluated on helical CT and compared with pathologic findings at hysterectomy.


RESULTS
Helical CT has a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 42% for the detection of deep myometrial invasion (stage IC). Helical CT has a sensitivity of 25% and a specificity of 70% for the detection of cervical involvement (state II). These results compare poorly with those of MR imaging (sensitivity 92%, specificity 90% for the detection of deep myometrial invasion; sensitivity 86%, specificity 97% for the detection of cervical involvement).


CONCLUSIONS
Helical CT is insensitive and nonspecific compared with MR imaging for the preoperative staging of endometrial carcinoma. MR imaging remains the imaging modality of choice.
Department of Radiology, Magee Women's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Halket St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
L A
LA
Hardesty
J H
JH
Sumkin
C
C
Hakim
C
C
Johns
M
M
Nath
D000368:Aged; D018269:Carcinoma, Endometrioid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*