Endosonography for Rectal Carcinoma: Preoperative TNM Staging Compared to Histology

Transreccal endosonography was performed preoperatively in 58patients with rectal carcinoma. The results of endosonography were comparedto the histology of resected specimens according to the new (1987) TNM(tumour, nodes, metastases) classification. Endosonography was accurate in thestaging of tumour categories except with T2 carcinomas because of concomitantperitoneal abscesses, inflammation or tissue changes after irradiation therapy.The overall accuracy of endosonography was 81 %. Overstaging occurred in 17%and understaging in 2%. The accuracy of endosonography for staging regionallymph nodes was 74%, sensitivity was 95% and specificity 61 %. Endosonographywas not accurate in the staging of distant metastases due to the limited penetrationdepth of ultrasound used. In conclusion, endosonography will become thestandard for staging rectal carcinoma