Oesophageal carcinoma: comparison of ex vivo high-resolution 3.0 T MR imaging with histopathological findings

High-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) images clearly depict the normal oesophageal wall as consisting of eight layers, which correlates well with histopathological findings. In 56 (91.8%) of 61 lesions, the depth of oesophageal wall invasion determined through MR imaging was consistent with histopathological staging (r = 0.975, P < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the mucosa were 71.4%, 98.1%, and 95.1%, respectively, and the corresponding values for the submucosa were 82.4%, 95.5%, and 91.8%; for the muscularis propria, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 100%, 95.7%, and 96.7%, respectively, and for the adventitia, these values were 100%, 100%, and 100%. The Cohen k values for interobserver agreement were excellent: K = 0.839, P < 0.001 (observer 1 vs. observer 2); K = 0.908, P < 0.001 (observer 1 vs. observer 3); and K = 0.885, P < 0.01 (observer 2 vs. observer 3). High-resolution ex vivo MR images obtained with a 3.0 T scanner can be used to precisely evaluate oesophageal carcinoma invasion and provide good diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.