MRI Evaluation of Extramural Venous Invasion (EMVI) with Rectal Carcinoma Using High Resolution T2 and Combination of High Resolution T2 and Contrast Enhanced T1 Weighted Imaging

Amela Sofic; Azra Husic-Selimovic; Alma Efendic; Adnan Sehic; Fuad Julardzija; Midhat Cizmic; Eldina Beslagic; Lejla Aladjuz-Granov

doi:10.5455/aim.2021.29.113-117

MRI Evaluation of Extramural Venous Invasion (EMVI) with Rectal Carcinoma Using High Resolution T2 and Combination of High Resolution T2 and Contrast Enhanced T1 Weighted Imaging

Acta Inform Med. 2021 Jun;29(2):113-117. doi: 10.5455/aim.2021.29.113-117.

Authors

Amela Sofic¹, Azra Husic-Selimovic², Alma Efendic³, Adnan Sehic⁴, Fuad Julardzija⁴, Midhat Cizmic¹, Eldina Beslagic¹, Lejla Aladjuz-Granov¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, General Hospital "Prim.dr.Abdulah Nakaš" Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovin.
² Department of Internal medicine, General Hospital "Prim.dr.Abdulah Nakaš", Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
³ Department of Radiology, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
⁴ Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Abstract

Background: EMVI is a direct invasion of a vein by a tumor. As a predictor of hematogenous metastasis, it is a poor prognostic factor in rectal cancer and can be accurately identified on MRI prior to surgical procedure.

Objective: To evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (CET1WI) in addition to high-resolution T2-weighted imaging (HRT2WI) in assessing extramural venous invasion (EMVI) of rectal cancer.

Methods: In all 195 patients with rectal cancer, HRT2WI and CET1WI sequences were produced within pre-operative MRI for the purpose of assessing for the presence of EMVI (mrEMVI). CET1WI sequences were produced following administration of Gadolinium contrast medium. mrEMVI assessment results were classified into two groups. Group A consisted of mrEMVI assessment results obtained using HRT2WI sequences only. Group B consisted of mrEMVI assessment results obtained using a combination of HRT2WI + CET1WI sequences. Results obtained for each group (A and B) were correlated with a histopathological finding (pEMVI) as a reference standard.

Results: Out of a total of 195 rectal cancer patients, mrEMVI was positive in 41 (21%) patients in group A, and in 45 (23%) patients in group B. Histopathological finding demonstrated pEMVI in 54 (27.7%) patients. A statistical analysis of group A (HRT2WI sequences) resulted in 75.9% sensitivity to mrEMVI and 96.4% specificity, Positive Predictive Value of 89.1% and Negative Predictive Value of 91.2% (95% confidence interval (CI), p< 0.05). Statistical analysis of group B (HRT2WI + CET1WI sequences) resulted in 83.3% sensitivity to mrEMVI and 98.5% specificity, Positive Predictive Value of 89.1% and Negative Predictive Value of 91.2% (CI 95%, p< 0.05).

Conclusion: T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (CET1WI) in addition to high-resolution T2-weighted imaging (HRT2WI) increased evaluation of extramural venous invasion (EMVI) of rectal cancer.

Keywords: EMVI; MRI; extramural venous invasion; rectal carcinoma.