Open AccessCT of intramural endometrial carcinoma: contrast enhancement is essential
Author(s) -
Hamlin Dj,
Francis A. Burgener,
JB Beecham
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
american journal of roentgenology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1546-3141
pISSN - 0361-803X
DOI - 10.2214/ajr.137.3.551
Subject(s) - medicine , carcinoma , contrast enhancement , contrast (vision) , radiology , magnetic resonance imaging , artificial intelligence , computer science
The accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in recognizing early stage endometrial carcinoma was assessed in a prospective study in 10 patients in whom macroscopic and microscopic findings of the surgical specimen were correlated with the CT findings. In no instance was endometrial carcinoma confined to the uterine wall demonstrated on a precontrast examination. However, after intravenous infusion of 300 ml diatrizoate 30%, all seven carcinomas involving one-third or more of the thickness of the uterine wall were clearly demonstrated as hypodense lesions. In three patients the center of the hypodense lesions was significantly more enhanced and this was found at surgery to represent less necrotic tumor. Three carcinomas with lesser intramural extent were still invisible after contrast infusion. Because of slow contrast material accumulation in the myometrium and a delayed washout, the optimum time for scanning appears to be immediately after termination of the infusion when the bladder is not yet densely opaque since this may cause disturbing artifacts. The depth of myometrial invasion by endometrial carcinoma is an important prognostic factor in the disease and the CT demonstration of tumor extent may prove to be valuable in optimizing the selection of surgical and/or radiotherapeutic procedures.