Uterine cervical carcinoma: evaluation of pelvic lymph node metastasis with MR imaging.

Abstract

To assess accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in detection of pelvic node metastasis from uterine cervical carcinoma. In 136 patients (aged 26-71 years [mean, 49 years]) with uterine cervical carcinoma seen between October 1990 and July 1992, maximum axial diameter (MAAD), minimum axial diameter (MIAD), and signal intensity enhancement ratio of positive nodes were measured. With MAAD of 1.0 cm, MR imaging had an accuracy of 90.4%, sensitivity of 62.2%, and specificity of 94.9% in detection of pelvic node metastasis. Mean MAAD and MIAD were 1.43 and 1.30 cm for true-positive nodes and 1.18 and 0.75 cm for false-positive nodes, respectively. Mean MAAD/MIAD was 1.09 for true-positive and 1.76 for false-positive nodes. With MIAD of 1.0 cm, MR imaging had an accuracy of 93.0% with 62.2% sensitivity and 97.9% specificity. No significant differences were noted in the degree of contrast enhancement between true-positive and false-positive nodes. The accuracy of MR imaging was fairly high in detection of pelvic node metastasis from uterine cervical carcinoma, and MIAD was a more accurate size criterion than MAAD.