title: Pre-operative staging of rectal cancer using multi-detector row computed tomography with multiplanar reformations: single center experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Technical advancement in imaging has helped to stage and plan treatment modality for carcinoma rectum with still some objectives controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) with multiplanar reformations in the pre-operative staging of rectal carcinoma and correlation with intraoperative and histopathologic staging of retrieved specimen with respect to the depth of tumor invasion (T-staging), lymph node metastasis (N-staging) and mesorectal fascia (MRF) involvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a prospective one and consisted of 52 patients with biopsy proved rectal carcinoma. MDCT studies were performed on a 64-slice computed tomography system. Images were reconstructed in axial, coronal and sagittal planes. MDCT findings were compared with intraoperative and pathologic (reference standard) findings. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diagnostic accuracy of MDCT for T1/T2, T3 and T4 lesions was 77%, 86.5% and 100%, respectively. For perirectal lymph node metastasis (N+), the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT was 84.1%. The diagnostic accuracy of MDCT for MRF involvement was 91%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MDCT is a reliable radiological tool for local staging of rectal cancer with excellent accuracy rates for T and N-staging of rectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, India.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dar
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Chowdri
authors.forename: F Q
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Parray
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shaheen
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Wani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mushtaque
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult