MDCT with multiplanar reconstruction in the preoperative local staging of rectal tumor.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of MDCT with multiplanar reconstruction in the preoperative local staging of rectal tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with rectal tumor underwent preoperative MDCT. Two radiologists evaluated the depth of tumor invasion (T staging), regional lymph node involvement (N staging) and mesorectal fascia involvement on axial, sagittal, and coronal multiplanar reconstruction images in consensus. MDCT findings were compared with pathologic results, which served as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were assessed. RESULTS: Overall accuracy was 86% in T staging, 84% in N staging, 89% in International Union Against Cancer (UICC) Staging, and 94.5% in the prediction of mesorectal fascia involvement. CONCLUSION: MDCT with multiplanar reconstruction is an accurate technique in the preoperative local staging of rectal tumor.