Rectal cancer confined to the bowel wall: the role of 3 Tesla phased-array MR imaging in T categorization

Objective:To determine the diagnostic value of 3 Tesla MR imaging in detection of mucosal (Tis), submucosal (T1) and muscularis propria (T2) invasion in patients with early rectal cancer.Methods:A total of 50 consecutive patients who underwent 3 Tesla MR imaging and curative-intent intervention for MRI-staged Tis/T1/T2 rectal cancer from March 2012 to December 2016 were included. The radiological T category of each rectal tumour was compared retrospectively with histopathological results assessed according to the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) classification. The sensitivities, specificities, and overall accuracy rates of 3 Tesla MR imaging for Tis, T1, and T2 cases were calculated using MedCalc statistical software v. 16.Results:The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of 3 Tesla MR imaging in T categorization for T2 were: 93.7% [95% CI (0.79–0.99)], 77.7% [95% CI (0.52–0.93)], 88.2% [95% CI (0.75–0.94)] and 87.5% [95% CI (0.64–0.96)]; for T1 were 92% [95% CI (0.63–0.99)], 91.8% [95% CI (0.78–0.98)], 80% [9...