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Rectal cancer MR staging: pearls and pitfalls at baseline examination

  • Special Section: Rectal Cancer
  • Published:
Abdominal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In recent years, rectal MRI has become a central diagnostic tool in rectal cancer staging. Indeed, rectal MR has the ability to accurately evaluate a number of important findings that may impact patient management, including distance of the tumor to the mesorectal fascia, presence of extramural vascular invasion (EMVI), presence of lymph nodes, and involvement of the peritoneum/anterior peritoneal reflection. Many of these findings are difficult to assess in nonexpert hands. In this review, we present a practical approach for radiologists to provide high-quality interpretations at initial baseline exams, based on recent guidelines from the Society of Abdominal Radiology, Rectal and Anal Cancer Disease Focused Panel. Practical pearls and pitfalls are discussed, focusing on optimization of technique including, patient preparation and protocol recommendations, interpretation, and essentials of reporting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Montpellier Cancer Research Institute, Montpellier, France

    Stephanie Nougaret

  2. Department of Radiology, Montpellier Cancer Institute, INSERM, U1194, University of Montpellier, 208 Ave des Apothicaires, 34295, Montpellier, France

    Stephanie Nougaret

  3. University of Toronto University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada

    Kartik Jhaveri

  4. Department of Medical Imaging, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University, St Joseph’s Hospital, London, ON, N6A4V2, Canada

    Zahra Kassam

  5. University of Florida, Department of Radiology, 655 W 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL, 32209, USA

    Chandana Lall

  6. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave E3/311 CSC, Madison, WI, 53792-3252, USA

    David H. Kim

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  1. Stephanie Nougaret
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Correspondence to Stephanie Nougaret.

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Disclosures for David H Kim: Shareholder for Elucent and Cellectar. The authors Stephanie Nougaret, Kartik Jhaveri, Zahra Kassam, Chandana Lall have declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Nougaret, S., Jhaveri, K., Kassam, Z. et al. Rectal cancer MR staging: pearls and pitfalls at baseline examination. Abdom Radiol 44, 3536–3548 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-019-02024-0

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