Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging-fluorodeoxy- glucose positron emission tomography fusion with pathological staging in rectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
: This study represents an initial experience with combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) (MRI-PET fusion) in the primary staging of rectal carcinoma.


METHODS
: A retrospective analysis of data recorded on patients with rectal cancer was undertaken. Patients requiring long-course radiotherapy were excluded. Chest radiography, abdominal computed tomography and endorectal ultrasonography were performed. In addition, MRI of the pelvis, whole-body FDG PET and MRI-PET fusion were carried out. All patients subsequently underwent anterior resection.


RESULTS
: Twenty-three patients with rectal carcinoma (15 men), of median age 60 (range 46-75) years, were enrolled. In tumour (T) assessment, MRI correctly staged 14 of 22 T2/T3 tumours. In lymph node assessment, MRI-PET fusion had a sensitivity of 44 per cent, with a specificity and positive predictive value of 100 per cent. No additional information was acquired from MRI-PET fusion over MRI plus abdominal computed tomography and chest radiography.


CONCLUSIONS
: MRI-PET fusion adds little to conventional investigations for staging rectal carcinoma.
Kam
M H
MH
Department of Surgery, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland, Australia.
Wong
D C
DC
Siu
S
S
Stevenson
A R L
AR
Lai
J
J
Phillips
G E
GE
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18