title: Comparison of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the discrimination of intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal rectal cancer: initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluation of intraperitoneal/extraperitoneal location of rectal cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed the identification of the anterior peritoneal reflection (APR) and the distance from the inferior edge of tumors to the anal verge and from the APR to the anal verge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Distances obtained with CT and MRI showed a strong correlation [Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation (rho): 0.995; P<.0001]. Magnetic resonance showed sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 89.62-100.00%), specificity of 75% (95% CI: 20.34-95.88%), positive predictive value (PPV) of 97.14% (95% CI: 85.03-99.52%), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% (95% CI: 30.48-100.00%). CT showed a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 89.32-100.00%), specificity of 60% (95% CI: 15.40-93.51%), PPV of 94.29% (95% CI: 80.81-99.13%), and NPV of 100% (95% CI: 30.48-100.00%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT demonstrated a potential supporting role in the evaluation of rectal cancer, showing a strong correlation with MRI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, "San Bartolomeo" Hospital, ASL5, Sarzana, La Spezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Revelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, E. O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paparo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, E. O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bacigalupo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, E. O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Puppo
authors.affiliation: Unit of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furnari
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, E. O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Conforti
authors.affiliation: Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Abdominal Surgery, E. O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Andrea
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Binda
authors.affiliation: Unit of Gastroenterology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Savarino
authors.affiliation: Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Risso
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, E. O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Andrea
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Rollandi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Peritoneal reflection; Rectal cancer