Diffusion-weighted imaging in the assessment of tumour grade in endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy in developed countries. Histological grade and subtype are important prognostic factors obtained by pipelle biopsy. However, pipelle biopsy "samples" tissue and a high-grade component that requires more aggressive treatment may be missed. The purpose of the study was to assess the use of diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) in the assessment of tumour grade in endometrial lesions. METHOD: 42 endometrial lesions including 23 endometrial cancers and 19 benign lesions were evaluated with DW-MRI (1.5T with multiple b-values between 0 and 750 s mm(-2)). Visual evaluation and the calculation of mean and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value were performed and correlated with histology. RESULTS: The mean and minimum ADC values for each histological grade were 1.02 ± 0.29×10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) and 0.74 ± 0.24×10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) (grade 1), 0.88 ± 0.39×10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) and 0.64 ± 0.36×10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) (grade 2), and 0.94 ± 0.32×10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) and 0.72 ± 0.36×10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) (grade 3), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between tumour grades. However, the mean ADC value for endometrial carcinoma was 0.97 ± 0.31, which was significantly lower (p<0.0001) than that of benign endometrial pathology (1.50 ± 0.14). Applying a cut-off mean ADC value of less than 1.28 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1)we obtained a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for malignancy of 87%, 100%, 100% and 85.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Tumour mean and minimum ADC values are not useful in differentiating histological tumour grade in endometrial carcinoma. However, mean ADC measurement can provide useful information in differentiating benign from malignant endometrial lesions. This information could be clinically relevant in those patients where pre-operative endometrial sampling is not possible.

Diagnosis and localisation of insulinoma: the value of modern magnetic resonance imaging in conjunction with calcium stimulation catheterisation.

CONTEXT: Preoperative localisation of insulinoma improves cure rate and reduces complications, but may be challenging. OBJECTIVE: To review diagnostic features and localisation accuracy for insulinomas. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, retrospective analysis. SETTING: A single tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS: Patients with insulinoma in the years 1990-2009, including sporadic tumours and those in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were identified from a database, and case notes and investigation results were reviewed. Tumour localisation by computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), octreotide scanning, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and calcium stimulation was evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Insulinoma localisation was compared to histologically confirmed location following surgical excision. RESULTS: Thirty-seven instances of biochemically and/or histologically proven insulinoma were identified in 36 patients, of which seven were managed medically. Of the 30 treated surgically, 25 had CT (83.3%) and 28 had MRI (90.3%), with successful localisation in 16 (64%) by CT and 21 (75%) by MRI respectively. Considered together, such imaging correctly localised 80% of lesions. Radiolabelled octreotide scanning was positive in 10 out of 20 cases (50%); EUS correctly identified 17 lesions in 26 patients (65.4%). Twenty-seven patients had calcium stimulation testing, of which 6 (22%) did not localise, 17 (63%) were correctly localised, and 4 (15%) gave discordant or confusing results. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative localisation of insulinomas remains challenging. A pragmatic combination of CT and especially MRI predicts tumour localisation with high accuracy. Radionuclide imaging and EUS were less helpful but may be valuable in selected cases. Calcium stimulation currently remains useful in providing an additional functional perspective.

SDHD-related chromaffin tumours: disease localisation to genetic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To describe the management of a subject with multiple chromaffin tumours found to have a novel succinate dehydrogenase D (SDHD) mutation. CASE: A 15-year-old boy with marked hypertension was found to have elevated urinary catecholamines and initial imaging thought to represent bilateral adrenal phaeochromocytomas. An adrenal venous catheter was required to clarify a right adrenal phaeochromocytoma and a left abdominal paraganglioma, distinct from the left adrenal gland. Excision of these tumours, with preservation of the left adrenal gland, provided a cure for this subject without the need for lifelong steroid replacement. Genetic analysis revealed a novel SDHD mutation (c. 169 + 1 G>A) which was shown to result in loss of the 5' splice site and exclusion of exon 2 during splicing. This suggests the likely pathogenicity of this mutation. Disease surveillance in this subject and genetic screening of first degree relatives is ongoing. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic testing should be considered in all subjects presenting with a chromaffin tumour. In certain circumstances an adrenal venous sampling catheter for catecholamines may clarify diagnostic uncertainty. The complex management issues raised in the care of these subjects requires the involvement of a multidisciplinary team with the relevant expertise.

Magnetic resonance lymphography: a novel technique for lymph node assessment in gynecologic malignancies.

Lymph node status determines both prognosis and treatment choice in gynecological malignancies. Both CT and MRI are standard techniques used to detect lymph node involvement but these techniques have low sensitivity and specificity. Magnetic resonance lymphography (MRL) using iron oxide nanoparticles is a new technique for lymph node assessment which has shown much promise. This article discusses the applications of MRL in the setting of gynecological malignancy.

MRI appearances of borderline ovarian tumours.

This review was performed to describe the range of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances of borderline ovarian tumours. The MRI findings in 26 patients with 31 borderline ovarian tumours (mean age: 40.1 years, range: 14-85 years) were retrospectively reviewed. For each tumour, site, size, MRI characteristics, and enhancement following gadolinium administration were recorded. There were 20 serous and 11 mucinous borderline ovarian subtypes. Nine of 26 patients demonstrated bilateral disease on MRI; synchronous contralateral ovarian disease included three benign, five serous borderline, and one serous invasive tumour. A history of a metachronous mucinous borderline tumour was identified in one patient. MRI appearances were classified into four morphological categories: group 1 (6/31, 19%), unilocular cysts; group 2 (6/31, 19%), minimally septate cysts with papillary projections; group 3 (14/31, 45%), markedly septate lesions with plaque-like excrescences; and group 4 (5/31, 16%), predominantly solid with exophytic papillary projections, all of serous subtype. There was a significant difference in mean volume between serous (841.5 cm(3)) and mucinous (6358.2 cm(3)) subtypes (p=0.009). All tumours demonstrated at least one MRI feature suggestive of malignancy. The present review demonstrates the variable MRI appearances of borderline ovarian tumours along with imaging features suggestive of tumour subtype. In patients in whom the clinical features are suggestive of a borderline ovarian tumour (young age and normal or minimally elevated CA125), the ability to predict a borderline disease using morphological features observed on MRI would be extremely helpful in surgical planning, with the potential to offer fertility or ovary-preserving surgery. Future studies are required to further this aim.

Results of a national survey of radiotherapy planning and delivery in the UK in 2007.

AIMS: Technical developments in radiotherapy have increased very rapidly over recent years, resulting in the processes of radiotherapy planning and delivery changing significantly. It is essential that alongside these developments, optimal methods for accurate target volume definition become a priority. The Radiotherapy Imaging for Delivery of Radiotherapy Working Party was formed to create a framework for imaging for radiotherapy planning and delivery: the areas of interest were interpretation of imaging for planning, optimum acquisition of imaging for radiotherapy planning and training and assessment across all staff groups involved with radiotherapy planning. A detailed assessment of the current situation in the UK was needed to prepare for this document. A national survey was undertaken and the results are reported in this paper. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all NHS radiotherapy departments in the UK on 3 occasions in 2007. A total of 48 replies were received from 58 centres giving a response rate of 83%. RESULTS: Approximately half of centres (46%) in the UK use IMRT. Thirteen centres are using IMRT in the routine management of patients. Nine centres indicated that they use IMRT routinely within the research setting. Twenty-six centres are not using IMRT but 10 centres are planning to implement the technology within 12 months. Only 4 centres in the UK routinely use IGRT and 6 centres report use of image guidance in the research setting. Twelve centres are planning to implement this over 12 months. Few oncologists have dedicated radiology input for planning. Twenty-seven centres had help from radiologists on an ad hoc basis only and 10 centres had no input at all. Only 2 centres have formal radiology training for trainees and 9 centres report ad hoc time with diagnostic radiologists or cite the FRCR course as the main sources of training. Twelve centres have structured training for radiographers and 4 centres for medical physicists. CONCLUSIONS: This survey assessed radiotherapy planning and delivery within the UK in 2007. The most significant findings were the lack of implementation of IMRT and IGRT which appeared to mainly to be due to lack of available staff, such as medical physicists, insufficient access to existing equipment, lack of time for more complex radiotherapy planning and insufficient funding. A further concern is the lack of formal training in tumour and normal tissue outlining across several staff groups.

Detection of neuroendocrine liver metastases with MnDPDP-enhanced MRI.

PURPOSE: The sensitivity of computerised tomography (CT) in detecting neuroendocrine liver metastases is variable and three-phase imaging is advocated. However, patients are often young and may require prolonged follow-up, thus a technique that avoids radiation exposure would be desirable. Our purpose was to assess the diagnostic performance of MRI, before and after administration of mangafodipir trisodium (MnDPDP), in the detection of neuroendocrine liver metastases. METHODS: Patients who had undergone single-phase or multi-phase contrast-enhanced MD-CT for neuroendocrine liver metastases were invited to have MRI. Two independent observers made quantitative measurements (number and size of lesions). All measurements were made on each available CT phase and all MRI sequences independently, and repeated after an interval to assess reproducibility. The final number of lesions was agreed on by consensus of three observers. A qualitative assessment (contrast and spatial resolution) and preferred modality were agreed on by consensus. RESULTS: 265 lesions were detected by consensus in 11 patients. Non-contrast CT was available in 4/11, arterial phase in 6/11 and portal phase in 10/11 patients. When compared with the consensus number of lesions, MD-CT identified 17% on non-contrast, 44% on arterial and 43% on portal venous imaging. Lesion detection on MRI was 48% on T(1)W, 52% on T(2)W and 92% on MnDPDP-MRI. The number of lesions detected on MnDPDP-MRI was closest to the final consensus reading (variance = 0.994, p = 0.0027). The reproducibility of lesion size measurements was best on MnDPDP-MRI (variance = 0.033, p = 0.0021). The preferred modality subjectively was MnDPDP-MRI in 9/11 cases and T(2)W MRI in 2/11. CONCLUSION: MRI is a robust technique in the demonstration of neuroendocrine liver metastases. It is highly reproducible in both detecting the number and measuring the size of lesions. We recommend T(2)W MRI and MnDPDP-MRI in detection and follow-up of neuroendocrine liver metastases.

The appearance of the adrenal glands on computed tomography in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

AIMS: To review the morphology of the adrenal glands in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) on computed tomography (CT) to compare the results with established normal values for adrenal size and nodularity and to correlate adrenal size with serum cortisol secretory dynamics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two observers independently reviewed the adrenal CT in 28 patients with MEN1, measuring the maximum width of the body of the gland and the medial and lateral limbs. Incidence and location of nodules >5 mm within the gland were recorded. Following exclusion of known cases of Cushing's syndrome, adrenal gland size was compared with previously documented normative data. Adrenal gland size was compared between patients with normal and abnormal cortisol dynamics. RESULTS: Comparison of mean adrenal size in MEN1 patients with normative data showed that the adrenal limbs were significantly larger in MEN1 than normal (P<0.0001 in all four limbs). Adrenal body was also significantly larger (P<0.05). Nodules were demonstrated in 17 (60%) of patients (versus 0.4-2% in the normal population). No statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between adrenal limb hyperplasia and abnormal cortisol dynamics. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with MEN1, adrenal limb hyperplasia and adrenal nodules are significantly more common than in the normal population, a phenomenon not previously documented in a quantitative manner. There was no significant correlation between adrenal limb hyperplasia and abnormal cortisol dynamics.

Computed tomography features of recurrent ovarian carcinoma according to time to relapse.

BACKGROUND: Although the sites of recurrent ovarian cancer are individually described in the literature, patterns of recurrent disease are poorly understood. PURPOSE: To describe CT patterns of disease in recurrent ovarian cancer. To emphasize common patterns, recognise subtle and unusual sites of recurrent disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified patients between 1981-2004 presenting with clinical recurrence or elevated CA 125 after complete primary clinical and radiological response. CT imaging at primary diagnosis, during and after treatment and at recurrence was retrospectively reviewed. Site, distribution, stage of disease and time to relapse was recorded. RESULTS: 400 patients were treated for ovarian cancer. 214(54%) achieved complete primary response. 161(75%) relapsed with complete imaging available in 67 patients. Of the 67 patients, 14 (21%) recurred within 1 year, 44 (66%) relapsed between 1-5 years. Therefore 87% of relapses occurred within 5 years following primary treatment. Five (8%) relapsed between 5-10 years and 4 (6%) relapsed after 10 years. Commonest pattern of relapse was pelvic mass in 35 (48%) patients, solitary in 15 (22%). 27 (45%) relapsed with peritoneal thickening, 27 (45%) had small or large bowel serosal disease, 22 (33%) had enlarged lymphadenopathy, 6 as sole manifestation of recurrence, 20 (30%) presented with unusual sites of recurrence: 6 splenic, 10 hepatic, 2 biliary, 3 brain and 2 muscle. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to describe common patterns of recurrence in ovarian cancer. Most frequent site is pelvis, followed by peritoneum, serosal surfaces and nodal disease. 30% presented with disease at 'unusual' sites.

The indeterminate adrenal mass in patients with cancer.

With the increasing use of abdominal cross-sectional imaging, incidental adrenal masses are frequently detected. The commonest clinical question is whether these are benign adenomas or malignant primary or secondary masses. The nature of incidentally detected adrenal masses can be determined with a high degree of accuracy using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as benign adrenal masses such as myelolipomas, lipid-rich adenomas, adrenal cysts and adrenal haemorrhage which have pathognomonic imaging findings. However, there remains a significant overlap between the imaging features of some lipid-poor adenomas and malignant lesions. We review the recent advances in CT, MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) which can be used to distinguish between benign adenomas and malignant lesions of the adrenal gland.

MR imaging in ovarian cancer.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is increasingly being used in patients with gynaecological disorders due to its high contrast resolution compared to computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound. In women presenting with an adnexal mass, ultrasound remains the primary imaging modality in the detection and characterisation of such lesions. However, in recent years overwhelming evidence has accumulated for the use of MR imaging in patients with indeterminate adnexal masses particularly in younger women and where disease markers are unhelpful. In staging ovarian cancer and for evaluating therapeutic response MR imaging is as accurate as CT but CT remains the imaging modality of choice because it is more widely available and quicker. This article reviews that evidence and outlines a place for the use of MR imaging in ovarian cancer.

Magnetic resonance imaging appearances of recurrent cervical carcinoma.

Our aim was to describe the patterns of disease recurrence and residual disease in patients treated for cervical carcinoma and to evaluate imaging features, which can help to differentiate recurrence and/or residual disease from posttreatment change. In a retrospective observational study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 48 patients with recurrent or residual cervical carcinoma were reviewed by two radiologists. Sixteen patients had undergone primary surgical treatment and 32 were treated by chemoradiotherapy. Recurrence was confirmed by histology (28), clinical and radiologic progression (6), and by patient death (14) due to progressive disease. Magnetic resonance images were analyzed for the site of recurrent/residual disease, signal characteristics, and invasion of adjacent structures. There were 29 recurrences, while 19 patients had residual disease. Most of the recurrences (70.4%) occurred within the first year of the start of treatment. Recurrent disease was confined to the central axis of the cervix in six patients following chemoradiotherapy and to the vaginal cuff in three of these patients following surgery. The recurrent tumor was isointense to the adjacent muscles on T1-weighted sequence in 95.3% and hyperintense on T2-weighted in 88.9%. The cervix was involved in every case of residual disease and in 10 of 29 (34.5%) patients with recurrent disease. Recurrent disease was present in the vaginal cuff in 14 of 16 (87.5%) postsurgical patients. Parametrial invasion was present in 13 (81.3%) patients treated surgically and in 22 (68.8%) of those receiving chemoradiotherapy. Involvement of the uterosacral ligaments was seen in 8 (57.1%) surgical patients and 14 (43.8%) nonsurgical ones. Bladder invasion was seen in four (25.0%) patients treated surgically and three (9.4%) of those treated with chemoradiotherapy. Radiotherapy change within the marrow was seen in 13 (27.0%) patients in total, whereas bone metastases were present in 4 (8.3%) patients. Recurrent cervical carcinoma can present with varied imaging features. Knowledge of the patterns of recurrence can aid early detection and may determine further therapeutic options.

Differential diagnosis of adnexal masses: risk of malignancy index, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and radioimmunoscintigraphy.

A risk of malignancy index (RMI), based on menopausal status, ultrasound (US) findings, and serum CA125, has previously been described and validated in the primary evaluation of women with adnexal masses and is widely used in selective referral of women from local cancer units to specialized cancer centers. Additional imaging modalities could be useful for further characterization of adnexal masses in this group of women. A prospective cohort study was conducted of 196 women with an adnexal mass referred to a teaching hospital for diagnosis and management. Follow-up data was obtained for 180 women; 119 women had benign and 61 women malignant adnexal masses. The sensitivity and specificity of specialist US, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radioimmunoscintigraphy (RS), and the RMI were determined. We identified a subgroup of women with RMI values of 25-1000 where the value of further specialist imaging was evaluated. Sensitivity and specificity for specialist US were 100% and 57%, for MRI 92% and 86%, and for RS 76% and 87%, respectively. Analysis of 123 patients managed sequentially, using RMI cutoff values of > or =25 and <1000 and then US and MRI provided a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 90%. Using this RMI cutoff followed by specialist US and MRI, as opposed to the traditional RMI cutoff value of 250, can increase the proportion of patients with cancer appropriately referred in to a cancer center, with no change in the proportion of patients with benign disease being managed in a local unit.

Evaluation of endometrial carcinoma on magnetic resonance imaging.

Our aims were to assess diagnostic performance of T2-weighted (T2W) and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted (T1W) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative assessment of myometrial and cervical invasion by endometrial carcinoma and to identify imaging features that predict nodal metastases. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed MR images of 96 patients with endometrial carcinoma. Tumor size, depth of myometrial and cervical invasion, and nodal enlargement were recorded and then correlated with histology. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) for the identification of any myometrial invasion (superficial or deep) were 0.94, 0.50, 0.93, 0.55 on T2W and 0.92, 0.50, 0.92, 0.50 on dynamic T1W, and for deep myometrial invasion were 0.84, 0.78, 0.65, 0.91 on T2W and 0.72, 0.88, 0.72, 0.88 on dynamic T1W. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for any cervical invasion (endocervical or stromal) were 0.65, 0.87, 0.57, 0.90 on T2W and 0.50, 0.90, 0.46, 0.92 on dynamic T1W, and for cervical stromal involvement were 0.69, 0.95, 0.69, 0.95 on T2W and 0.50, 0.96, 0.57, 0.95 on dynamic T1W. Leiomyoma or adenomyosis were seen in 73% of misdiagnosed cases. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of nodal metastases was 66% and 73%, respectively. Fifty percent of patients with cervical invasion on MRI had nodal metastases. In conclusion, MRI has a high sensitivity for detecting myometrial invasion and a high NPV for deep invasion. MRI has a high specificity and NPV for detecting cervical invasion. Dynamic enhancement did not improve diagnostic performance. MRI may allow accurate categorization of cases into low- or high-risk groups ensuring suitable extent of surgery and adjuvant therapy.

The performance of magnetic resonance imaging in early cervical carcinoma: a long-term experience.

We report our long-term experience of performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in localizing cervical tumor, assessing tumor size, staging, and lymph node infiltration in patients with early cervical cancer. MRI of 150 patients with early carcinoma between 1995-2005 was retrospectively reviewed. Tumor location, size, tumor distance from internal os, parametrial invasion, myometrial invasion, lymph node size, and location were documented. All patients underwent surgery, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and histological correlation of MRI findings. For staging, MRI and histopathology had kappa value of 0.89. For parametrial invasion, MRI had specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) of 97% and 100%, respectively. For tumor size, MRI and histology had mean difference of -0.9 mm with 95% limits of agreement between -12.6 to +13 mm. In tumors greater than 10 mm, mean difference was 0.3 mm and limits of agreement were -7.5 to +7.9 mm. For internal os involvement sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and NPV were 90%, 98%, 86%, 98%. respectively. For myometrial invasion sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and PPV were 100%, 99%, 88%, 100%, respectively. Incidence of nodal metastases was 2.9%. On a per-patient basis, sensitivity, specificity for nodal involvement was 37% and 92% and on node-by-node basis, sensitivity and specificity of MRI was 27% and 99%, respectively. Our study confirms MRI is highly accurate in localizing cervical tumor, excluding parametrial invasion, confirming myometrial and internal os invasion. MRI is therefore useful in selecting patients for surgery and mandatory in patients for fertility-preserving surgery. Using accepted size criteria for nodal involvement, MRI is insensitive and currently will not avoid need for pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Recurrent endometrial cancer: patterns of recurrent disease and assessment of prognosis.

AIM: To evaluate patterns of disease and identify factors predicting outcome in patients presenting with recurrent endometrial adenocarcinoma following primary surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of the imaging and clinical data in 86 patients (median age 66 years, range 42-88 years) presenting with recurrent endometrial adenocarcinoma following primary surgery. RESULTS: Following primary surgery recurrent disease occurred within 2 years in 64% and within 3 years in 87%. Relapse was seen within lymph nodes in 41 (46%), the vagina in 36 (42%) the peritoneum in 24 (28%) and the lung in 21 (24%). Unusual sites of disease included spleen, pancreas, rectum, muscle and brain. Univariate survival analysis showed the factors significant for poor outcome were: multiple sites of disease, liver and splenic disease, haematogenous, peritoneal and nodal spread, poorly differentiated tumour, and early relapse. The presence of disease within the vagina, bladder or lung was not associated with poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis identified multiple sites of disease, liver and splenic metastases to be independent predictors of poor outcome. CONCLUSION: The most frequently observed sites of relapse are: lymph nodes, vagina, peritoneum and lung. Significant predictors of poor outcome in recurrent disease are multiple sites of disease and liver and splenic metastases.

Selective parathyroid venous sampling in patients with complicated hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: The role of preoperative localisation of abnormal parathyroid glands remains controversial but is particularly relevant to the management of patients with recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism and familial syndromes. We report our experience of the use of selective parathyroid venous sampling (PVS) in the localisation of parathyroid disease in such patients. DESIGN: We report a retrospective 10-year experience (n = 27) of the use of PVS in complicated primary hyperparathyroidism and contrast the use of PVS with neck ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and sestamibi imaging modalities. RESULTS: In 14 out of 25 patients who underwent surgery PVS results were completely concordant with surgical and histological findings and 88% of patients achieved post-operative cure. Out of 13 patients referred after previous failed surgery, 12 underwent further surgery which was curative in 9. In total PVS yielded useful positive (n = 13) and/or negative information (n = 6) in 19 out of 25 patients undergoing surgery. Using histology as the gold standard, 59% of PVS studies were entirely consistent with histology, as compared with 39% of ultrasound scans, 36% of sestamibi scans and 17% of MRI/CT scans. CONCLUSIONS: PVS is a valuable adjunct to MRI/CT and sestamibi scanning in selected patients with complicated hyperparathyroidism when performed in an experienced unit.

Can MRI rule out bladder and rectal invasion in cervical cancer to help select patients for limited EUA?

OBJECTIVES: Although invasion of the bladder or rectum is rare in cervical carcinoma, endoscopic assessment of both organs is part of the standard FIGO clinical staging system, with associated increase in cost and risk of complications. Our objective was to evaluate whether MRI could be used to select patients who did not require invasive staging of the bladder or rectum. METHODS: Two observers, blinded to the results of cystoscopy and endoscopic examination of the rectum, retrospectively reviewed the MR images of 112 patients with cervical carcinoma. A 5-point invasion score was used to determine bladder and rectal invasion (1 = no invasion, 5 = definite invasion). A confidence score of 3 or above was used to identify patients with possible bladder or rectal involvement. The results of cystoscopy and endoscopic examination of the rectum were recorded and correlated with the MR findings. RESULTS: MRI was negative for both bladder and rectal invasion in 94/112 patients. Cystoscopy and endoscopic examination of the rectum were confirmed to be normal in all 94 cases. MRI identified 12 patients with possible rectal invasion, 2 confirmed at endoscopy. MRI identified 14 patients with possible bladder invasion, one confirmed at cystoscopy. Using a low threshold cut-off score of >3 to predict invasion resulted in a 100% negative predictive value (NPV) in detection of bladder and rectal invasion. CONCLUSION: The absence of bladder or rectal invasion can be diagnosed with sufficient confidence using an MRI scoring system to safely obviate the need for invasive cystoscopic or endoscopic staging in the majority of patients with cervical cancer. This could potentially lead to a reduction in staging costs and morbidity.