MR imaging, CT and CEA scintigraphy in the diagnosis of local recurrence of rectal carcinoma

Purpose: To compare advanced imaging techniques in the diagnosis of recurrent rectal cancer. Material and Methods: Twenty-five consecutive patients with either suspected or verified recurrence were examined by CT (n=25), MR with phased-array capabilities (n=24) and CEA scintigraphy (n=16). Three experienced radiologists (who were blinded to results obtained at surgery and histopathology) independently evaluated the films, one observer for each modality. Results: The MR radiologist arrived at a correct diagnosis in 87.5% of the examinations: the CT radiologist in 76% and the CEA radiologist in 75%. The MR radiologist's results correlated more often with reported pathology than did those of the CT radiologist with regard to the relation of recurrent tumor to surrounding structures in the pelvis. Conclusion: MR imaging is the most effective of the 3 modalities in the diagnosis of recurrent rectal cancer.