[Rectal carcinoma--optimizing therapy by improved preoperative staging? Is endosonography required?].

Endosonography is superior to other imaging modalities (CT, MRI) and has to be considered as the most useful and accurate method in staging rectal carcinoma inclusive the invasion of the sphincter apparatus. Selection of patients for sphincter saving operation, local excision and in case of preoperative adjuvant therapy is greatly supported by endosonography and has to be considered as inevitable in the preoperative management.