Predictors of mesorectal fascia invasion after gadolinium injection in rectal carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy

OBJECTIVE: To assess spectral presaturation inversion-recovery MRI sequence with gadolinium to identify predictors of mesorectal fascia (MRF) invasion in patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients underwent neoadjuvant concomitant radiation and chemotherapy and surgery. Magnetic resonance images were assessed by two radiologists. RESULTS: Linear (odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals: 19.33, 1.98-188.6) and reticular strands (odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals: 9.75, 1.45-67.77) reaching the MRF are predictors of MRF invasion. CONCLUSION: Linear or reticular mesorectal strands reaching the MRF detected at contrast-enhanced MRI represent a predictor of MRF invasion.