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

ObjectiveTo 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 methodsSixty-five patients underwent neoadjuvant concomitant radiation and chemotherapy and surgery. Magnetic resonance images were assessed by two radiologists.ResultsLinear (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.ConclusionLinear or reticular mesorectal strands reaching the MRF detected at contrast-enhanced MRI represent a predictor of MRF invasion.