Comparation of DCE-MRI and dual-energy CT imaging in discriminating tumor deposits from lymph node metastasis in rectal cancer.

Tumor deposits (TDs) in rectal cancer have been shown to be an important marker of poor prognosis. Although very similar to lymph node metastasis (LNMs), TDs have unique features in terms of biology and outcome, suggesting that distinguishing between these two entities may be of great importance. Results of this study indicate iodine-based material-decomposition (MD) images and DCE-MRI can effectively differentiate TDs and LNMs in rectal cancer, and iodine-based MD images showed better diagnostic efficiency.