Diagnostic Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Evaluation of Cervical Carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of cervical carcinoma keeping histopathological findings as the gold standard.
Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Setting: Department of Radiology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Civil Hospital, Karachi.
Duration: From 29 th March 2017 to 28 th September 2017
Material and Methods: Total 148 patients with clinically suspected cervical carcinoma were
included. MRI images were taken from renal hilum till pubic symphysis or beyond in T1, T2,
and post gadolinium sequences in sagittal, axial and coronal sections. Histopathological results
were then collected and correlated by MRI findings. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic
accuracy of MRI were calculated using histopathological finding as gold standard.
Results: Mean age was 50.42±5.31 years. Mean symptoms duration was 9.10±2.91 months. Mean
tumor size was 3.26±1.66 mm. 43.2% cases were diagnosed positive by MRI and 56.1% cases
through histopathology. The results showed that 60 patients were true positive, correctly
diagnosed and 61 patients were true negative, correctly diagnosed. Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV,
NPV and accuracy were 93.8%, 72.6%, 72.3%, 93.8%, and 81.7% respectively.
Conclusion: The results showed 93.8% sensitivity, 72.6% specificity, and 81.7% diagnostic
accuracy. It was concluded that MRI is a substitute for invasive histopathology in screening of
cervical cancer.