title: Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging-fluorodeoxy- glucose positron emission tomography fusion with pathological staging in rectal cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kam
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.forename: A R L
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18