An evaluation of the computed tomographic scanner for the staging of carcinoma of the cervix

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Abstract
Twenty patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix (FIGO stages IB-IV) were staged by routine pelvic examination, intravenous urography, chemistry studies, and barium enema. All patients received a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis followed by pelvic examination under anesthesia (EUA). CT agreed with EUA staging in 13 of 20 patients (65%). All patients had surgical para-aortic lymph node sampling. The sensitivity of CT for para-aortic lymph node involvement was 67% and the specificity was 92%. CT scanning is equal to other clinical staging procedures for carcinoma of the cervix. It offers the advantages of being noninvasive and visualizing tumor for the construction of radiation portals. CT is useful in the detection of para-aortic lymphadenopathy; however, the presence of normal sized or enlarged nodes makes pathologic examination, either by needle aspiration or surgery, necessary.