A prospective comparison between multidetector-row computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the preoperative evaluation of rectal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT, or multislice CT) is a new modality with four detectors, which makes examination time shorter and produces higher resolution and multiplanar reformation of the images. Its diagnostic role in patients with rectal carcinoma has not been determined.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with rectal carcinoma were preoperatively examined by both MDCT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Diagnostic accuracies of both modalities were compared regarding depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis based on the pathologic findings.


RESULTS
Both examinations detected all tumors. Regarding depth of tumor invasion, the concordance was 95.2% (20 of 21) for MDCT and 100% (21 of 21) for MRI. Regarding lymph node metastasis, the overall accuracy was 61.9% for MDCT and 70.0% for MRI.


CONCLUSIONS
Multidetector-row computed tomography was equal to MRI in the preoperative local staging of rectal carcinoma.
Matsuoka
Hiroyoshi
H
First Department of Surgery, Kyorin University, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, 181-8611, Tokyo, Japan.
Nakamura
Akihisa
A
Masaki
Tadahiko
T
Sugiyama
Masanori
M
Takahara
Taro
T
Hachiya
Junichi
J
Atomi
Yutaka
Y
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000175:diagnosis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*