Pelvis after surgery for rectal carcinoma: serial CT. Observations with emphasis on nonneoplastic features

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.141.5.959· OSTI ID:5503933

Kelvin, F M; Korobkin, M; Heaston, D K; Grant, J P; Akwari, O

Ten asymptomatic patients who had undergone resection of rectal carcinoma were evaluated prospectively by at least three serial computed tomographic (CT) examinations of the pelvis within 24 months of surgery. Of the seven patients who had undergone abdominoperineal resection, five were found to have a presacral mass due to normal postopertive changes within the first 4 months. The mass showed a variable diminution between 4 and 9 months after operation and developed a more distinct outline, partial separation from the sacrum, or a change in configuration to a thin transverse sliver. These changes indicate the possibility of CT differentiation of a normal postoperative mass from local recurrence. In the other five patients, no post-operative mass was observed. From these observations, a baseline CT study of the pelvis within 2 to 4 months of resection of rectal carcinoma, followed by serial CT examinations at about 6-month intervals is recommended for the detection of early asymptomatic pelvic recurrence and to facilitate differentiation from persistent postoperative changes.

• Research Organization: Duke Univ. Medical Center, Durham, NC
• OSTI ID: 5503933
• Journal Information: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States), Journal Name: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States) Vol. 141:5; ISSN AAJRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BODY
BODY AREAS
CARCINOMAS
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
INTESTINES
LARGE INTESTINE
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
PELVIS
RECTUM
TOMOGRAPHY