High-resolution MRI of the rectum allows preoperative identification of important surgical and pathological prognostic risk factors. This may allow both better selection and assessment of patients undergoing preoperative therapy.

Prediction of nodal involvement in rectal cancer with MR imaging is improved by using the border contour and signal intensity characteristics of lymph nodes instead of size criteria.

Preoperative thin-section MR imaging accurately indicates the tumor stage of rectal cancer and depth of extramural tumor infiltration. It provides valuable information for identifying T3 tumors for preoperative adjuvant therapy in patients who are at high risk of failure of complete excision.

This study shows the normal flow pattern in the descending thoracic aorta and its reversal in coarctation due to collateral flow. Thus, VENC-MR can measure collateral flow in coarctation and serves as a unique method for providing this important measurement of the severity of coarctation of the aorta.