Evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging in cervical carcinoma staging

Objective To evaluate the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) in preoperative staging of cervical cancer.Methods MRI was preoperatively performed in thirty-three patients with pathology proved cervical carcinoma.Images were analyzed on parametrial invasion,pelvic lymph node metastasis and tumor staging.The results were compared with the histopathologic findings after surgery in all patients.Results The accuracy,specificity,and sensitivity of parametrial invasion were 94%,96% and 90%,respectively.In determining stages of disease,MRI presented an accuracy of 75.7%.The accuracy of MRI in differentiating localized disease(stage ⅡA) from advanced(stage ⅡB) was 94%.Conclusions MRI can clearly show the local and invasion lesion of cervical carcinoma on multiple layers and angles.MRI is accurate in differentiating diagnosis of localized and advanced disease.MRI is valuable in treatment planning and should be regarded as a routine preoperative imaging for cervical carcinoma.