W. Thaler et al., PREOPERATIVE STAGING OF RECTAL-CANCER BY ENDOLUMINAL ULTRASOUND VS MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING PRELIMINARY-RESULTS OF A PROSPECTIVE, COMPARATIVE-STUDY, Diseases of the colon & rectum, 37(12), 1994, pp. 1189-1193
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the value of endoluminal
ultrasonography (ELUS) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for preo
perative staging of rectal carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutiv
e patients were examined by ELUS and MRI. imaging results were compare
d with pathohistologic studies. A tumor extending beyond the bowel wal
l was considered to be ''positive'' and one within the bowel wall was
considered ''negative.'' Lymph node involvement was considered present
if nodes equal to or greater than 5 mm in diameter were found in the
perirectal tissue. For evaluating the differences between the two meth
ods, the Me Nemar test was performed. RESULTS: T-Staging was correct i
n 88.2 percent (30/34) of patients by ELUS and in 82.3 percent (28/34)
by MRI (difference not significant). N-Staging was correct in 80 perc
ent (20/25) by ELUS and in 60 percent (15/25) by MRI (difference of bo
rderline significance). A comprehensive preoperative staging (T + N) w
as made correctly in 68 percent (17/25) by ELUS and in 48 percent only
(12/25) by MRI (difference not significant). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest
that ELUS and MRI must be evaluated within the framework of establishe
d parameters when treatment modalities such as preoperative radiation
therapy and local or radical surgical approach must be decided.