Abdominal Imaging - Pictorial Essay

MRI anatomy of parametrial extension to better identify local pathways of disease spread in cervical cancer

10.5152/dir.2015.15282

  • Anna Lia Valentini
  • Benedetta Gui
  • Maura Miccò
  • Michela Giuliani
  • Elena Rodolfino
  • Valeria Ninivaggi
  • Marta Iacobucci
  • Marzia Marino
  • Maria Antonietta Gambacorta
  • Antonia Carla Testa
  • Gian Franco Zannoni
  • Lorenzo Bonomo

Received Date: 29.06.2015 Accepted Date: 06.12.2015 Diagn Interv Radiol 2016;22(4):319-325

This paper highlights an updated anatomy of parametrial extension with emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of disease spread in the parametrium in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Pelvic landmarks were identified to assess the anterior and posterior extensions of the parametria, besides the lateral extension, as defined in a previous anatomical study. A series of schematic drawings and MRI images are shown to document the anatomical delineation of disease on MRI, which is crucial not only for correct image-based three-dimensional radiotherapy but also for the surgical oncologist, since neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery is emerging in Europe as a valid alternative to standard chemoradiation.