Current perspectives on the management of lateral pelvic lymph nodes in rectal cancer

Table 1 Summary of diagnostic criteria for suspicious lateral pelvic lymph nodes

Study	Imaging modality	Nodal size	Nodal features
Schaap et al[53], 2021	MRI	Pre-treatment: SAD 7 mm	-
Amano et al[23], 2020	MRI; CT; PET-CT	(MRI or CT) SAD > 6 mm; (PET/CT) increased FDG uptake	-
Kim et al[54], 2020	MRI	Pre-treatment: SAD 7 mm; Post-treatment: SAD 4 mm	-
Lee et al[55], 2019	CT or MRI	Pre-treatment: SAD 8 mm	-
Sapci et al[56], 2019	MRI	Size > 5 mm	And either heterogeneity or border irregularity
Schaap et al[57], 2018	MRI	SAD 10 mm	-
Kim et al[58], 2018	MRI	Pre-treatment: SAD 5 mm	Signal intensity homo/heterogenous; Margins irregular or well defined; DWI signal intensity high or low; Size reduction rate
Akiyoshi et al[30], 2015	MRI	Pre-treatment: SAD 8 mm	-
Kobayashi et al[59], 2015	CT	LAD > 9 mm; SAD > 6 mm	-
Ogawa et al[60], 2015	MRI	SAD 10 mm or 5 mm (institution-dependent)	Enlarged LPLN on palpation; Enlarged perirectal node or LPLN 5 mm
Ogawa et al[61], 2014	MRI	LAD 5 mm; LAD < 5 mm	-
Shihab et al[29], 2011	MRI	No size criteria	Mixed signal intensity or irregular nodal capsule border
Matsuoka et al[62], 2007	MRI	LAD 10 mm; SAD 5 mm	Ovoid shape; heterogeneity

CT: Computed tomography; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; LAD: Long axis diameter; SAD: Short axis diameter; LPLN: Lateral pelvic lymph node.