MRI for detection of extramural vascular invasion in rectal cancer.

Objective: Extramural vascular invasion is a pathologic feature predictive of distant relapse and poor survival among patients with colorectal cancer. This article illustrates the use of high-spatial-resolution MRI to identify extramural vascular invasion.

Conclusion: Objective MRI features that correlate with histopathologic findings can be identified and used to evaluate extramural vascular invasion on preoperative images.

The Relationship Between MR Demonstration of Extramural Venous Invasion and Nodal Disease in Rectal Cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between extramural venous invasion (EMVI) detected at T2-weighted MRI and nodal disease rectal cancer compared with histopathology.

Materials And Methods: The MR imaging of 79 consecutive patients with rectal cancer who underwent primary rectal surgery without neoadjuvant treatment were reviewed. MR images were scored by an expert radiologist for the presence and degree of EMVI using a five point scale blinded to pathological findings.