Open AccessCurrent controversy, confusion, and imprecision in the use and interpretation of rectal MRI
Author(s) -
Marc J. Gollub,
Chandana Lall,
Neeraj Lalwani,
Michael H. Rosenthal
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
abdominal radiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.824
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 2366-004X
pISSN - 2366-0058
DOI - 10.1007/s00261-019-01996-3
Subject(s) - medicine , confusion , interpretation (philosophy) , colorectal cancer , hepatology , radiology , expert opinion , medical physics , general surgery , cancer , intensive care medicine , surgery , psychology , computer science , psychoanalysis , programming language
There has been a rapid increase in the utilization of MRI in rectal cancer staging in the USA essentially replacing endorectal ultrasound and mimicking the trend in Europe seen in the 1990s and 2000s. Accompanying this trend, there is a demand, and recognized need, for greater precision and clarification of confusing, misunderstood and poorly understood concepts, facts, statements and nomenclature regarding rectal cancer and the use of pelvic MRI for diagnosis. As such, this Review, part evidence-based and part expert opinion, will attempt to elucidate and clarify several concepts the authors have encountered in 25 years of imaging rectal cancer, focusing on MRI.