Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the staging of cervical carcinoma: A pictorial review

The purposes of diagnostic imaging in cervical carcinoma are to determine the size and extent of the tumour for accurate staging and to establish lymph node status. Historically, cervical tumours were staged by clinical examination and by examination under anaesthesia according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system. This system does not incorporate imaging findings or lymph node status, but it is now accepted that cross-sectional imaging, and in particular MRI, has an important role to play in the staging of these tumours. We carried out an audit of all patients having a staging MRI for suspected cervical carcinoma in South Australia and the Northern Territory for 2 years from January 2005. This was the first time the clinicians had been offered routine MRI, and despite the strong supporting published reports, they had some reservations about its performance. Our audit covered a wide range of tumour stages and provided a good teaching resource for radiologists and clinicians alike.