Chiara Zini

Diagnostic accuracy of colour Doppler ultrasonography, CT angiography and blood-pool-enhanced MR angiography in assessing carotid stenosis: a comparative study with DSA in 170 patients

PurposeThis study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS), first-pass (FP) and steady-state (SS) contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the carotid arteries using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard.Materials and methodsA total of 170 patients with previous cerebrovascular events and suspected carotid artery stenoses underwent CDUS, blood-pool MRA, CTA and DSA. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for CDUS, FP MRA, SS MRA and CTA. The McNemar and Wilcoxon tests and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to determine significant differences (p<0.05) between the diagnostic performances of the four modalities, and the degree of stenosis was compared using linear regression.ResultsA total of 336 carotid bifurcations were studied. The area under the curve (AUC) for degree of stenosis was: CDUS 0.85±0.02, FP MRA 0.982±0.005, SS MRA 0.994±0.002 and CTA 0.997±0.001. AUC analysis showed no statistically significant difference between CTA and MRA (p=0.0174) and a statistically significant difference between CDUS and the other techniques (p<0.001). Plaque morphology analysis showed no significant difference between CTA and SS MRA; a significant difference was seen between CTA and SS MRA versus FP MRA (p=0.04) and CDUS (p=0.038). Plaque ulceration analysis showed a statistically significant difference between MRA and CTA (0.04< p<0.046) versus CDUS (p=0.019).ConclusionsCTA is the most accurate technique for evaluating carotid stenoses, with a slightly better performance than MRA (97% vs. 95% for SS MRA and 92% for FP MRA) and a greater accuracy than CDUS (97% vs. 76%). Blood-pool contrast-enhanced SS sequences offer improved evaluation of degree of stenosis and plaque morphology with accuracy substantially identical to CTA.RiassuntoObiettivoL’obiettivo di questo studio è stato di valutare prospetticamente l’accuratezza dell’eco-color Doppler (ECD), dell’angiografia con risonanza magnetica (angio-RM), ottenuta con sequenze di primo passaggio (PP) ed allo stato stazionario (SS) e dell’angiografia con tomografia computerizzata (angio-TC) nella diagnostica della stenosi carotidea utilizzando l’angiografia con sottrazione digitale (DSA) come metodica di riferimento.Materiali e metodiCentosettanta pazienti sintomatici e con sospetta stenosi carotidea sono stati sottoposti ad ECD, angio-RM, angio-TC e DSA. Accuratezza, sensibilità, specificità, valore predittivo positivo (VPP) e valore predittivo negativo (VPN) sono stati calcolati per ECD, angio-RM ed angio-TC. Le differenze di performance tra le metodiche sono state valutate utilizzando il test di McNemar, il test di Wilcoxon e l’analisi delle curve receiver operating characteristic (ROC) (p<0,05). Inoltre il valore di stenosi attribuito dalla valutazione dell’ECD, dell’angio-RM e dell’angio-TC è stato confrontato con il valore della DSA tramite regressioni lineari.RisultatiSono state valutate 336 biforcazioni carotidee. Per la valutazione del grado di stenosi è stata calcolata l’area sotto la curva (AUC) delle quattro metodiche che è risultata: ECD 0,85±0,02, angio-RM PP=0,982±0,005, angio-RM SS=0,994±0,002 ed angio-TC=0,997±0,001 con sostanziale equivalenza tra angio-TC ed angio-RM (p=0,0174) ed una differenza statisticamente significativatra l’ECD e le altre metodiche (p<0,001). Per la valutazione della morfologia di placca l’analisi delle AUC delle quattro metodiche ha evidenziato una sostanziale equivalenza tra angio-TC ed angio-RM con SS, ma ha evidenziato una lieve differenza di entrambe le metodiche nei confronti dell’angio-RM con PP (p=0,04) e dell’ECD (p=0,038). La valutazione delle ulcere ha evidenziato una differenza statisticamente significativa tra l’angio-RM e l’angio-TC (p=0,04–0,046) e l’ECD (p=0,019).ConclusioniL’angio-TC è la metodica più affidabile con una leggera superiorità diagnostica rispetto all’angio-RM (97% vs. 95% per le sequenze SS e 92% per le sequenze PP) ed una superiorità molto marcata rispetto all’ECD (97% vs. 76%). L’angio-RM con l’utilizzo delle sequenze allo stato stazionario ottenute con mezzo di contrasto intravascolare ad alta relassività tende sostanzialmente ad eguagliare l’accuratezza dell’angio-TC.Purpose. This study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS), first-pass (FP) and steady-state (SS) contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the carotid arteries using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard. Materials and methods. A total of 170 patients with previous cerebrovascular events and suspected carotid artery stenoses underwent CDUS, blood-pool MRA, CTA and DSA. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for CDUS, FP MRA, SS MRA and CTA. The McNemar and Wilcoxon tests and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to determine significant differences (p<0.05) between the diagnostic performances of the four modalities, and the degree of stenosis was compared using linear regression. Results. A total of 336 carotid bifurcations were studied. The area under the curve (AUC) for degree of stenosis was: CDUS 0.85±0.02, FP MRA 0.982±0.005, SS MRA 0.994±0.002 and CTA 0.997±0.001. AUC analysis showed no statistically significant difference between CTA and MRA (p=0.0174) and a statistically significant difference between CDUS and the other techniques (p<0.001). Plaque morphology analysis showed no significant difference between CTA and SS MRA; a significant difference was Riassunto Obiettivo. L’obiettivo di questo studio e stato di valutare prospetticamente l’accuratezza dell’eco-color Doppler (ECD), dell’angiografia con risonanza magnetica (angio-RM), ottenuta con sequenze di primo passaggio (PP) ed allo stato stazionario (SS) e dell’angiografia con tomografia computerizzata (angio-TC) nella diagnostica della stenosi carotidea utilizzando l’angiografia con sottrazione digitale (DSA) come metodica di riferimento. Materiali e metodi. Centosettanta pazienti sintomatici e con sospetta stenosi carotidea sono stati sottoposti ad ECD, angio-RM, angio-TC e DSA. Accuratezza, sensibilita, specificita, valore predittivo positivo (VPP) e valore predittivo negativo (VPN) sono stati calcolati per ECD, angio-RM ed angio-TC. Le differenze di performance tra le metodiche sono state valutate utilizzando il test di McNemar, il test di Wilcoxon e l’analisi delle curve receiver operating characteristic (ROC) (p<0,05). Inoltre il valore di stenosi attribuito dalla valutazione dell’ECD, dell’angio-RM e dell’angio-TC e stato confrontato con il valore della DSA tramite regressioni lineari. Risultati. Sono state valutate 336 biforcazioni carotidee. Per la valutazione del grado di stenosi e stata calcolata l’area sotto la curva (AUC) delle quattro metodiche che e risultata: ECD 0,85±0,02, angio-RM PP=0,982±0,005, angio-RM SS=0,994±0,002 ed angio-TC=0,997±0,001 con sostanziale equivalenza tra angio-TC ed angio-RM (p=0,0174) ed una differenza statisticamente significativa VASCULAR AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY RADIOLOGIA VASCOLARE E INTERVENTISTICA Diagnostic accuracy of colour Doppler ultrasonography, CT angiography and blood-pool-enhanced MR angiography in assessing carotid stenosis: a comparative study with DSA in 170 patients Accuratezza diagnostica nella valutazione della stenosi carotidea di eco-color Doppler, angio-TC ed angio-RM con mezzo di contrasto intravascolare: valutazione comparativa dell’accuratezza diagnostica con DSA in 170 pazienti M. Anzidei1 • A. Napoli1 • F. Zaccagna1 • P. Di Paolo1 • L. Saba2 • B. Cavallo Marincola2 • C. Zini1 G. Cartocci1 • L. Di Mare1 • C. Catalano1 • R. Passariello1 1 Department of Radiological Sciences, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy 2 Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (A.O.U.) Cagliari, Polo di Monserrato, Italy Correspondence to: M. Anzidei, Tel.: +39-06-4455602, Fax: +39-06-490243, e-mail: michele.anzidei@gmail.com Received: 27 July 2010 / Accepted: 7 September 2010 / Published online: 19 March 2011

Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease: Diagnostic Performance and Effect on Therapeutic Management of 64-Section CT Angiography

PURPOSE To evaluate the diagnostic performance and effect on therapeutic management of 64-section computed tomographic (CT) angiography in the assessment of steno-occlusive disease in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), with conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. A total of 212 patients with symptomatic PAD underwent CT angiography and subsequent DSA. For stenosis analysis (≥ 70% stenosis), the arterial bed was divided into 35 segments and evaluated by three readers. Interobserver agreement was determined with generalized κ statistics. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) were calculated. In addition, according to the TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) Document on Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease guidelines, treatment recommendations based on CT angiographic and DSA findings were compared. McNemar test was used to prove significant differences between CT angiographic and DSA findings. RESULTS A total of 7420 arterial segments were evaluated, with excellent agreement between readers (κ ≥ 0.928). On a segmental basis, both sensitivity and specificity for stenosis of 70% or more were at least 96% (3072 of 3113 segments and 4141 of 4279 segments, respectively), with an accuracy of 98% (7213 of 7392 segments), a PPV of 96% (3072 of 3187 segments), an NPV of 99% (3141 of 3187 segments), a PLR of 36.7, and an NLR of 0.013. There was no significant difference between CT angiographic and DSA findings (P = .62-.87). In accordance with TASC II guidelines, 49 patients were referred for conservative treatment, 87 underwent endovascular procedures, 38 underwent surgery, and 17 received hybrid treatment. Therapy recommendations based on CT angiographic findings alone were identical to those based on DSA findings in all but one patient. CONCLUSION The diagnostic performance of 64-section CT angiography is excellent in patients with clinical symptoms of PAD. The results can be used to effectively guide therapeutic decision making in these patients.

Malignant tumours of the small intestine: a review of histopathology, multidetector CT and MRI aspects.

Small bowel neoplasms, including adenocarcinoma, carcinoid tumour, lymphoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumours, represent a small percentage of gastrointestinal cancers, yet are among those with the poorest prognosis compared with other gastrointestinal malignancies. Unclear clinical scenarios and difficult radiological diagnosis often delay treatment with negative effects on patient survival. Recently, multidetector CT (MDCT) and MRI have been introduced as feasible and accurate diagnostic techniques for the identification and staging of small bowel neoplasms. These techniques are gradually replacing conventional barium radiography as the tool of choice. However, the inherent technical and physiological challenges of small bowel imaging require a familiarity with patient preparation and scan protocols. Adequate knowledge of the histopathology and natural evolution of small bowel neoplasms is also important for differential diagnosis. The aim of this article is to review MDCT and MRI protocols for the evaluation of small bowel tumours and to provide a concise yet comprehensive guide to the most relevant imaging features relative to histopathology.

Heritability of central blood pressure and arterial stiffness: a twin study.

Objective: Central blood pressure and aortic stiffness have been consistently reported as strong cardiovascular risk factors. Twin studies by comparing identical with nonidentical twins produce information on the relative contribution of genes and environment. Methods: One hundred and fifty-four monozygotic (MZ) and 42 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs (age 43 ± 17 years) from Hungary and the United States underwent brachial and central augmentation index (AIx), brachial and central pressure, and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements with the invasively validated Arteriograph device. Bivariate Cholesky decomposition models were applied. Results: Age-adjusted, sex-adjusted and country-adjusted heritability was 60.0% for central SBP [95% confidence interval (CI), 44.8–69.6%], 50.1% for aortic PWV (95%CI, 26.0–66.8%), 48.7% for aortic AIx (95%CI, 1.7–74.0%), 46.8% for brachial AIx (95%CI, 1.1–73.8%), 46.7% for central pulse pressure (PP) (95%CI, 12.4–61.4%), and 30.0% for brachial PP (95%CI, 0.0–53.4%). Central SBP and PP had strong bivariate correlations with brachial (r = 0.461 and 0.425) and central AIx (r = 0.457 and 0.419), as well as with aortic PWV (r = 0.341 and 0.292, all P < 0.001). Brachial PP had a weak correlation with brachial AIx (r = −0.118, P < 0.05), central AIx (r = −0.122, P < 0.05), and none with aortic PWV (r = 0.08, P = n.s.). Genetic factors explained a moderate phenotypic correlation between central PP, SBP, brachial SBP and aortic PWV. Conclusions: Central systolic and PPs, brachial PP, AIx, aortic PWV are moderately heritable. A moderate genetic covariance among aortic PWV and central PP, central SBP and brachial SBP was found.

In vivo 3D neuroanatomical evaluation of periprostatic nerve plexus with 3T-MR Diffusion Tensor Imaging

OBJECTIVES To evaluate if Diffusion Tensor Imaging technique (DTI) can improve the visualization of periprostatic nerve fibers describing the location and distribution of entire neurovascular plexus around the prostate in patients who are candidates for prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), including a 2D T2-weighted FSE sequence in 3 planes, 3D T2-weighted and DTI using 16 gradient directions and b=0 and 1000, was performed on 36 patients. Three out of 36 patients were excluded from the analysis due to poor image quality (blurring N=2, artifact N=1). The study was approved by local ethics committee and all patients gave an informed consent. Images were evaluated by two radiologists with different experience in MRI. DTI images were analyzed qualitatively using dedicated software. Also 2D and 3D T2 images were independently considered. RESULTS 3D-DTI allowed description of the entire plexus of the periprostatic nerve fibers in all directions, while 2D and 3D T2 morphological sequences depicted part of the fibers, in a plane by plane analysis of fiber courses. DTI demonstrated in all patients the dispersion of nerve fibers around the prostate on both sides including the significant percentage present in the anterior and anterolateral sectors. CONCLUSIONS DTI offers optimal representation of the widely distributed periprostatic plexus. If validated, it may help guide nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy.

Association of body mass index with arterial stiffness and blood pressure components: a twin study.

RATIONALE Obesity, blood pressure and arterial stiffness are heritable traits interconnected to each other but their possible common genetic and environmental etiologies are unknown. METHODS We studied 228 monozygotic and 150 dizygotic twin pairs aged 18-82 years from Italy, Hungary and the United States, of which 45 monozygotic and 38 dizygotic pairs were discordant for body mass index (BMI; intrapair difference (Δ) in BMI ≥ 3 kg/m(2)). Blood pressure components and arterial stiffness were measured by TensioMed Arteriograph. RESULTS Hypertension was more prevalent among obese than non-obese individuals (55% vs. 29%, p < 0.001). Age-, sex- and country-adjusted heritability estimates were high for hemodynamic measures (45%-58%) and BMI (78%). According to bivariate Cholesky decomposition, phenotypic correlations between BMI and blood pressure components (r = -0.15 to 0.24, p < 0.05) were largely explained by additive genetic factors (65%-77%) with the remaining explained by the unique environment. When controlling for genetic factors within all monozygotic pairs, ΔBMI was significantly correlated with Δbrachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Δmean arterial pressure, and Δaortic SBP (r = 0.15-0.17, p < 0.05). For the same measures, heavier co-twins of BMI-discordant monozygotic pairs had significantly higher values than their leaner counterparts (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Blood pressure components are moderately correlated with BMI, largely because of shared genetic factors. However, for the association of BMI with brachial SBP and DBP, aortic SBP and mean arterial pressure, acquired, modifiable factors were also found to be important.

Ultrasound- and MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery for prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men. There are a number of treatment options for PC with a different therapeutic approach between USA and Europe. Radical prostatectomy is one of the most used therapies but focal gland therapy is an emerging approach, especially for localized tumors. In this scenario, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been incorporated in certain medical association guidelines. HIFU has been employed for about 10 years especially for localized PC. Results are promising with a 5-year biochemical survival rate ranging from 45% to 84%. Collateral events are rare and HIFU retreatment is not common. Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) was recently presented as a method for ablation with focused ultrasound under magnetic resonance imaging guidance. It has the advantage of improved targeting and real time temperature monitoring but only a few studies have been conducted with human patients. The aim of this review is to describe the current status of HIFU and MRgFUS in the therapy of PC.

Evidence for a Strong Genetic Influence on Carotid Plaque Characteristics An International Twin Study

Background and Purpose— Few family studies reported moderate genetic impact on the presence and scores of carotid plaques. However, the heritability of carotid plaque characteristics remains still unclear. Twin studies more reliably estimate the relative contribution of genes to these traits in contrast to family study design. Methods— One hundred ninety-two monozygotic and 83 dizygotic adult twin pairs (age 49±15 years) from Italy, Hungary, and the United States underwent B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound of bilateral common, internal, and external carotid arteries. Results— Age-, sex-, and country-adjusted heritability was 78% for the presence of carotid plaque (95% CI, 55%–90%), 74% for plaque echogenicity (hypoechoic, hyperechoic, or mixed; 95% CI, 38%–87%), 69% for plaque size (area in mm2 in longitudinal plane; < or >50 percentile; 95% CI, 16%–86%), 74% for plaque sidedness (unilateral or bilateral; 95% CI, 25%–90%), 74% for plaque numerosity (95% CI, 26%–86%), 68% (95% CI, 40%–84%), and 66% (95% CI, 32%–90%) for the presence of plaque in carotid bulbs and proximal internal carotid arteries. No role of shared environmental factors was found. Unique environmental factors were responsible for the remaining variance (22%–34%). Controlling for relevant covariates did not change the results significantly. Conclusions— The heritability of ultrasound characteristics of carotid plaque is high. Unshared environmental effects account for a modest portion of the variance. Our findings should stimulate the search for genes responsible for these traits.

Minimally invasive treatment of gastric leak after sleeve gastrectomy

PurposeObesity is a leading problem in Western countries, and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most commonly used procedure for the surgical management of morbid obesity. SG is recognised as one of the safest and most effective bariatric procedures but it is limited by a rate of gastric leaks (GL) ranging from 1.4% to 20%. No international consensus exists about the treatment of GL. This paper reports our experience with the noninvasive management of GL.Materials and methodsFrom July 2004 to December 2010, 16 patients with GL after SG were referred to our unit. All patients underwent contrast radiography (Gastrografin) and computed tomography (CT) examination. On the basis of the radiographic findings, patients were divided into those eligible for drainage and those not eligible.ResultsTwelve patients (75%) were eligible for percutaneous drainage. Of these, seven patients (44%) were successfully treated with percutaneous drainage alone, whereas five patients (31%) required placement of a covered stent due to incomplete resolution of the collection. After 1009.8±456.7 days of follow-up, one patient died from a cardiovascular event and two patients required a bilio-pancreatic-digestive bypass (BPD-BP). Twelve patients (75%) were in an excellent state of health with significant reduction of their body mass index (BMI).ConclusionsOur experience confirms the value of an algorithm based on patient eligibility for percutaneous drainage in the treatment of GL. The patient’s general condition and in particular the presence of sepsis supports the value of this approach in preference to the conventional surgical approach.RiassuntoObiettivoL’obesità è uno dei problemi emergenti dei paesi industrializzati e la sleeve gastrectomy (SG) è una dei presidi più utilizzati per la cura dell’obesità patologica. La SG è riconosciuta come una delle più sicure tecniche chirurgiche bariatriche, ma è gravata in percentuale variabile dall’1,4% al 20% da fistola gastrica (GL). Non esiste un consensus internazionale sul trattamento del GL dopo SG. Riportiamo la nostra esperienza nel trattamento minimamente invasivo del GL dopo SG.Materiali e metodiDa giugno 2004 a gennaio 2010, 16 pazienti con GL post SL sono stati trattati dal nostro team. Tutti i pazienti sono stati sottoposti a transito con mezzo di contrasto per os (Gastrografin) e tomografia computerizzata (CT). In base all’aspetto radiografico i pazienti sono stati suddivisi in passibili di drenaggio e non passibili di drenaggio.RisultatiDodici pazienti (75%) sono stati passibili di drenaggio. Di questi in 7 (44%) pazienti il drenaggio percutaneo è stato l’unico presidio terapeutico; 5 pazienti (31%) hanno richiesto stents per la mancata risoluzione del GL. Dopo 1009,8±456,7 giorni di follow-up: 1 paziente è morto per evento cardiovascolare e 2 pazienti sono stati sottoposti a bypass bilio-pancreatico-digestivo. 12 pazienti (75%) presentano un ottimo stato di salute con riduzione dell’indice di massa corporea (BMI).ConclusioniLa nostra esperienza conferma l’utilizzo di un algoritmo basato sulla fattibilità del drenaggio percutaneo per la cura del GL. La presenza di sepsi corrobora questo approccio rispetto al tradizionale trattamento chirurgico.

Diagnostic performance of 64-MDCT and 1.5-T MRI with highresolution sequences in the T staging of gastric cancer: a comparative analysis with histopathology

PurposeThis study was undertaken to compare the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (64-MDCT) in the T staging of gastric carcinoma in comparison with histopathology.Materials and methodsForty patients with an endoscopic diagnosis of gastric carcinoma underwent preoperative MR imaging and 64-MDCT, both of which were performed after i.v. injection of scopolamine and water distension of the stomach. In the MR imaging protocol, we acquired T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequences, true fast imaging steady-state free precession (true-FISP) and gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) 3D sequences. Contrastenhanced CT scans were obtained in the arterial and venous phases. Two groups of radiologists independently reviewed the MR and 64-MDCT images. The results were compared with pathology findings.ResultsIn the evaluation of T stage, 64-MDCT had 82.5% and MR imaging had 80% sensitivity. Accuracy of MR imaging was slightly higher than that of 64-MDCT in identifying T1 lesions (50% vs 37.5%), whereas the accuracy of 64-MDCT was higher in differentiating T2 lesions (81.2% vs 68.7%). The accuracy of MR imaging and 64-MDCT did not differ significantly in the evaluation of T3-T4 lesions (p>0.05). Understaging was observed in 20% of cases with MR imaging and in 17.5% with 64-MDCT.ConclusionsMR imaging and 64-MDCT accuracy levels did not differ in advanced stages of disease, whereas MR imaging was superior in identifying early stages of gastric cancer and can be considered a valid alternative to MDCT in clinical practice.RiassuntoObiettivoScopo di questo studio è stato valutare l7’accuratezza diagnostica della RM e della TC nella stadiazione locale del carcinoma gastrico rispetto ai rilievi istologici.Materiali e metodiQuaranta pazienti con diagnosi gastroscopica di carcinoma gastrico sono stati sottoposti a RM e TC per la stadiazione pre-operatoria. Sia la RM che la TC sono state eseguite dopo somministrazione ev di scopolamina e dopo aver disteso lo stomaco con acqua. Le immagini RM sono state acquisite con sequenze turbo spin echo (TSE) T2 pesate ad alta risoluzione, true fast imaging with steady state precession (trueFISP) e volumetric interpolated breath hold examination (VIBE) 3D T1 pesate dopo somministrazione ev di chelati del gadolinio (Gd-BOPTA). Le immagini TC sono state acquisite in fase postcontrastografica artero-portale e venosa e sono state analizzate da due gruppi di radiologi; i risultati sono stati successivamente comparati con l’esame istopatologico.RisultatiNella valutazione globale del parametro T la sensibilità della TC è stata dell’82,5% e quella della RM è stata dell’80%. La RM si è rivelata più accurata della TC nella valutazione delle lesioni T1 (50% vs 37,5%), mentre la TC è risultata più affidabile nella valutazione delle lesioni T2 (81,2% vs 68,7%). L’accuratezza diagnostica delle due metodiche nella valutazione delle lesioni T3–T4 non ha dimostrato differenze statisticamente significative (p>0,05). I casi sottostadiati sono stati il 20% con la RM ed il 17,5% con la TC.ConclusioniI valori di accuratezza della RM e della TC nella stadiazione del carcinoma gastrico non presentano differenze significative. La RM è risultata maggiormente accurata nell’individuazione delle lesioni precoci e del tutto comparabile alla TC nella stadiazione delle lesioni in stadio avanzato, proponendosi quindi come valida alternativa alla TC nella pratica clinica.