MRI for detection of extramural vascular invasion in rectal cancer.

Abstract

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. Objective MRI features that correlate with histopathologic findings can be identified and used to evaluate extramural vascular invasion on preoperative images. The MRI extramural vascular invasion score provides additional staging information, which is important when selective neoadjuvant therapy is being considered.