Rectal tumor stage: correlation of endorectal MR imaging and pathologic findings.

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Abstract
To develop magnetic resonance (MR) imaging criteria for staging rectal cancer. Thirty-six patients with rectal tumors underwent MR imaging with an endorectal surface coil. MR images were compared with specimens from the resected tumor. Rectal wall layers were reliably demonstrated. The MR imaging-determined tumor stage agreed with pathologic findings in 81% of cases. A retrospective review found the integrity of the rectal wall layers at the lesion center an accurate criterion for interpreting the local extent of the lesion. Lymph nodes as small as 2 mm were demonstrated. Although sensitive for demonstrating perirectal adenopathy, MR imaging had a specificity of only 72% for N1 disease. Endorectal surface coil MR imaging shows promise for staging rectal lesions. Additional studies are necessary to further establish criteria for interpreting the images.

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