MRI and rectal cancer

Poster: an audit of the quality of rectal MRI for the diagnosis and management of rectal cancer

Published on March 1, 2023

Introduction
High-quality rectal MRI plays a key role in the clinical staging of patients with rectal cancer, ensuring patients receive appropriate evidence-based treatment1-2. MRI technique is therefore crucial.
We audited our rectal MRI scans to determine if they were optimal for the diagnosis and management of rectal cancer.

Standard
The Royal College of Radiologists’ guidelines3 and Mercury findings1-2 recommend that all patients with rectal cancer without contraindications to MRI should be staged by MRI, performed and reported following the validated standards.

Indicators
Image quality of rectal MRI scans were measured against the criteria below:
1. Anterior saturation band used.
2. Appropriate coil positioning.
3. Adequate tumour coverage.
4. Mesorectum imaged to L5-S1 on small field of view sequences.
5. Antispasmodics given to reduce bowel wall motion artefact assuming no contraindications.

Target
100% compliance (unless exception of antispasmodics).

Methodology
A retrospective analysis...

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