MR-IMAGING, CT AND CEA SCINTIGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF LOCAL RECURRENCE OF RECTAL-CARCINOMA

Purpose: To compare advanced imaging techniques in the diagnosis of re current rectal cancer. Material and Methods: Twenty-five consecutive p atients with either suspected or verified recurrence were examined by CT (n=25), MR with phased-array capabilities (n=24) and CEA scintigrap hy (n=16). Three experienced radiologists (who were blinded to results obtained at surgery and histopathology) independently evaluated the f ilms, one observer for each modality. Results: The MR radiologist arri ved at a correct diagnosis in 87.5% of the examinations: the CT radiol ogist in 76% and the CEA radiologist in 75%. The MR radiologist's resu lts correlated more often with reported pathology than did those of th e CT radiologist with regard to the relation of recurrent tumor to sur rounding structures in the pelvis. Conclusion: MR imaging is the most effective of the 3 modalities in the diagnosis of recurrent rectal can cer.