Endometrial cancer: preoperative evaluation of myometrial infiltration magnetic resonance imaging versus transvaginal ultrasonography.

From January 1996 to December 1998, 33 patients with endometrial carcinoma were preoperatively examined in our department; 30 women underwent transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 3 only TVUS. Diagnosis was obtained by histopathological examination of the tissue removed by hysteroscopically controlled biopsy or by curettage of the uterine cavity. TVUS and MRI were performed a few days before surgery. After surgery the uterus was histopathologically examined by a pathologist in order to evaluate the depth of myometrial invasion. The results were compared with TVUS and MRI data to determine sensibility and specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the two methods. According to the results of the present study we conclude that: TVUS is a low cost, easily performed and reliable method in a high percentage of cases if carried out by a skilled ecographist. MRI, is more expensive and has a lower specificity and sensibility index; it is a valid method if the cervical canal is involved and/or myometrial invasion is > 50% (M2) and if lymphatic invasion has to be investigated.