Value of magnetic resonance images in preoperative staging and resectability assessment of pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical value of magnetic resonance images (MRI) in preoperative staging and resectability evaluation of pancreatic cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-one pancreatic cancer patients who received operation from January 2012 to May 2017 were included in this study. The upper abdominal MRI of 31 cases were analyzed retrospectively. The results of operation and pathology were compared to evaluate the correlation between MRI staging and postoperative pathological staging of pancreatic cancer.

RESULTS

According to pathological staging, there were 12 cases of Stage I, 13 cases of Stage II, 4 cases of Stage III, and 2 case of Stage IV. However, for preoperative MRI stage, there were 13 cases of Stage I, 14 cases of Stage II, 4 cases of Stage III. In addition, there was no significant difference in the distribution frequency of pathological staging and MRI staging (P > 0.05). This finding indicated that the results of MRI staging were consistent with that of postoperative pathological staging. The pathology I/II or III/IV stage of pancreatic cancer patients could be predicted with preoperative abdominal MRI detection, with the sensitivity of 1.00 and the specificity of 0.67.

CONCLUSION

MRI was clinically significant in preoperative staging and resectability assessment of pancreatic carcinoma.