A Practical Review of the Performance and Interpretation of Staging Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Rectal Cancer

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article was to outline key technical considerations in performing rectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with a practical, systematic approach to the interpretation of rectal MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Following validation by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Rectal Cancer European Equivalence Study group, rectal MRI is mandatory for the local staging of rectal cancer in many countries. The systematic interpretation of high-quality, high-resolution T2-weighted images should form the basis for discussing the management of patients with rectal cancer, including aiding surgical planning and enabling the appropriate use of neoadjuvant therapy. In this article, we discuss the methods for obtaining high-quality rectal magnetic resonance images and a systematic approach for the accurate interpretation of these images.