Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare the sensitivity and staging accuracy of dynamically enhanced MR imaging(hereafter, DEI)and turbo spin-echo(TSE) T2-weighted imaging(hereafter, T2WI) in cases of cervical carcinoma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images(T2WI and DEI) of 25 cervical carcinoma patients, diagnosed during surgery, were reviewed by tworadiologists. T2WI employed the TSE technique; dynamic MR imaging, the FLASH technique in the axial plane. DEimages were obtained immediately and at 30, 60, 120, and 180 seconds after rapid injection of Gd-DTPA. The degreeof visualization of the tumor, and its invasiveness, were graded as good, fair, or poor. By correlating thehistopathologic results, the accuracy of the two MR imaging techniques was compared.
RESULTS: For tumorvisualization, T2WI was good in 13/25 cases (52%), fair in 3/25(12%), and poor in 9/25(36%); DEI was good in5/25(20%), fair in 7/25(28%), and poor in 13/25 cases (52%).
CONCLUSION: For the detection and staging of cervicalcarcinoma, T2WI is superior to DEI. For the diagnosis and staging of cervical carcinoma, DEI is thereforeunnecessary.