The diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in detecting cervical involvement in endometrial cancer

Objectives.The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting cervical involvement by endometrial cancer.Methods.A retrospective accuracy study of 135 consecutive women who underwent preoperative MRI and surgery for endometrial cancer at a single gynaecological cancer centre between 1st February 2003 and 30th November 2004.Results.For the detection of any cervical involvement by MRI, the sensitivity was 72%, specificity 93.2%, positive predictive value (PPV) 89.8%, negative predictive value (NPV) 80.2%, positive likelihood ratio (+LR) 10.7 and negative likelihood ratio (−LR) 0.3. When cervical stromal invasion was considered alone, the sensitivity was 84.4%, specificity 87.4%, PPV 67.5%, NPV 94.7%, +LR 6.7 and −LR 0.18.Conclusion.We believe that MRI is able to accurately predict cervical involvement in endometrial cancer and allows a decision to be made on the type of hysterectomy to be offered.