Aim: To evaluate the value of magnetic resonance imaging-detected extramural vascular invasion (MR-EMVI) in predicting regional lymph node metastasis (RLNM) in patients with rectal cancer.
Methods: A total of 183 patients were included. A set of clinical and imaging factors including MR-EMVI were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses to determine the risk factors for RLNM.
Results: Among the clinical and imaging factors evaluated, MR-EMVI, pathologic EMVI, nodal size, and diffusion-weighted imaging-detected positive nodes were independent predictors of RLNM.
Conclusions: MR-EMVI may be an independent predictor of RLNM in patients with rectal cancer.
Keywords: Extramural vascular invasion; Lymph nodes metastasis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Rectal cancer.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.