This retrospective cohort study compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and rigid rectosigmoidoscopy (RSCR) in assessing tumor distance from the anal verge in patients with rectal cancer. Conducted at Hospital General de México, it aimed to determine the accuracy and clinical interchangeability of both modalities.
The results showed a moderate positive correlation (R = 0.56) between MRI and RSCR measurements. While some variability was noted, MRI was deemed a viable alternative in cases where rigid endoscopy was not feasible. Bland–Altman analysis supported MRI’s role in preoperative planning, particularly in resource-limited settings.
The authors suggest that MRI could serve as a non-invasive, accessible tool for evaluating tumor positioning, helping guide treatment without routine reliance on rigid rectoscopy.
