Figure 9a.

Axial contrast-enhanced MR images in a patient with stage IIIB (cT3N2M0) adenocarcinoma of the rectum. (a) Image shows a low rectal mass with a small focus of extension into the adjacent mesorectal fat (arrow) (T3 disease). (b, c) Multiple enhancing subcentimeter mesorectal lymph nodes (arrows in b) and a left internal iliac lymph node (arrow in c) suggest N2 disease on the basis of the number of potentially involved lymph nodes. The patient subsequently underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy and resection.