Predicting Lateral Lymph Node Metastasis in Low Rectal Cancer

MRI criteria can accurately identify patients with low rectal cancer at risk for lateral lymph node metastasis, impacting surgical strategies.

In a study of 163 patients, 16.6% had pathological lateral lymph node metastasis (pllnm).
Among 130 initially classified as llnm-negative, 3.8% were later found to have pllnm.
The radiological criterion (short-axis diameter ≥6 mm) demonstrated high accuracy (90.2%) and specificity (91.9%), significantly informing treatment decisions.

This tool may help tailor surgical approaches, potentially reducing overtreatment for patients with low rectal cancer.

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