Endorectal surface coil MR imaging as a staging technique for rectal carcinoma: a comparison study to rectal endosonography

Background: Preoperative staging of rectal cancer is critical for guiding t herapy and prescribing the most appropriate treatment option. The purpose o f this investigation was to compare the accuracy of endorectal surface coil magnetic resonance imaging (ERSCMRI) with endosonography (EUS) in staging rectal lesions. Methods: Fourteen patients with rectal carcinoma, initially detected by bar ium enema or sigmoidoscopy underwent ERSCMRI and EUS. Subsequent resection of the lesions was performed, and the staging accuracies of these two modal ities are compared. Results: MRT-staging agreement with pathologic T-staging was similar to tha t of EUS, but MR enabled more accurate identification of nodal involvement. Conclusion: ERSCMRI produced greater overall accuracy in staging for rectal carcinoma than did EUS.