MRI Analysis of Cervical Cancer

Objective To study the MRI features of uterine cervical cancer and to evaluate the method of MRI technology. Methods Pelvic MRI was performed in 98 patients with cervical cancer proved by pathology, including 89 cases of squamous cell cancer, 7 cases of adenocancer and 2 cases of squamous-adenocancer. The MRI scanning included axial SE T1WI, axial and sagittal TSE T2WI, coronal SPIR TSE T2WI, and axial, sagittal and coronal Gd-DTPA enhanced SE T1WI. MR images were analyzed for the location and extension of the primary tumor. For some of the cases, MR findings were compared with surgical-pathologic findings. Results MR findings of cervical cancer were characteristic, with moderate hyperintense on T2WI, a significant contrast noise ratios among the cervical cancer, and hypointense on T1WI, as well as a little of enhanced after bolus intravenous Gd-DTPA T1WI. In 33 patients, tumor's singal was heterogeneous, which was caused by pseudoglandular lumen, necrosis and keratin pearl. MRI showed that 83.6% cervical cancers had been invasive to the area out of cervix, to the vaginal in 68.4%, to the uterine body in 53.1% . Conclusion MR imaging can show the local tumors and extension of the cervical cancer clearly on multiple planes and angles. It is superior to any other imaging methods, and should be a routine imaging study of cervical cancer.[