title: Post-treatment fistulas in patients with rectal cancer: MRI with rectal superparamagnetic contrast agent.
abstract: MRI is the standard modality in the pre- and post-treatment evaluation of patients with rectal cancer, particularly in those cases with locally advanced disease. We routinely employ a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast enema to distend the rectal lumen and achieve maximal tumor-to-lumen contrast gradient. This practice also allowed the identification of a fistula in 24% of patients treated for rectal cancer. Contrast agent-related low intensity signal could be seen filling the tract and eventually opacifying surrounding organs (i.e., vagina) or collections (i.e., presacral abscess). Fistula formation after radiochemotherapy and surgery for rectal cancer is not uncommon. MRI with dark lumen contrast enema allows an effective demonstration of this complication in a high number of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, INT Pascale, via crispi 92, 80121, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrillo
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delrio
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avallone
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Filice
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D012833:Siloxanes
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; D012833:Siloxanes; C088769:ferumoxsil; D007501:Iron; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide