Clinical significance of magnetic resonance imaging findings in rectal cancer

Table 1 Optimal rectal MRI protocol

Sequence	Area	Plane	Purpose
1-Low resolution T2 ± T1	Whole pelvis	Axial	Overview of the pelvis and tumor localization
2-High resolution T2	Rectum	Sagittal	Determination of cranio-caudal extension of the tumor, peritoneal reflection and distance from the anal canal
3-High resolution T2	Whole mesorectum	Axial to the tumor	Assessment of the mesorectum and of the CRM
4-High resolution T2	Rectum	Coronal based on the anal canal plane	Assess relation to the sphincter-levator complex

CRM: Circumferential resection margin.