Background: Parametrial tumor involvement is an important prognostic factor in cervical cancer and is used to guide management. Here, we investigate the diagnostic value of clinical examination under general anesthesia (EUA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining parametrial tumor spread. Methods: Post-operative pathological findings of 400 patients with primary cervical cancer were compared to the respective MRI data and the results from EUA. The gynecological oncologist had access to the MR images during clinical assessment (augmented EUA, aEUA). Results: Pathologically proven parametrial tumor invasion was present in 165 (41%) patients. aEUA exhibited a higher accuracy than MRI alone (83% vs. 76%; McNemar’s odds ratio [OR] = 2.0, 95%CI 1.25–3.27, p = 0.003). Although accuracy was not affected by tumor size in aEUA, MRI was associated with a lower accuracy in tumors ≥2.5 cm (OR for a correct diagnosis compared to smaller tumors 0.22, p < 0.001). There was also a decrease in specificity when evaluating parametrial invasion by MRI in tumors ≥2.5 cm in diameter (p < 0.0001) compared to smaller tumors (< 2.5 cm). Body mass index had no influence on performance of either method. Conclusions: aEUA has the potential to increase the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in determining parametrial tumor involvement in cervical cancer patients.

Bakgrund: Magnetresonanstomografi (MRT) innebär stora diagnostiska och medicinska möjligheter, men ofta ett obehag för patienterna som kan bero på en rad olika anledningar. Patienternas upplevelser i samband med en magnetkameraundersökning är viktigt för att röntgensjuksköterskan ska få patienterna att känna en trygghet och kunna etablera kontakt.  Syfte: Litteraturstudiens syfte var att belysa patienters erfarenheter i samband med en magnetkameraundersökning. Metod: En litteraturstudie med resultat från åtta kvalitativa studier. Artiklarna kvalitetgranskades samt analyserades. Sökningar har genomförts i PubMed och CINAHL.  Resultat: Utifrån analysen formades tre kategorier och åtta subkategorier. Kategorierna var: Att ligga i mr-kamera, att genomgå undersökningsproceduren samt känslor. Patienter upplever någon form av smärta och obehag i samband med MR-undersökningen. En del patienter upplever någon form av negativa känslor vid undersökningen, medan andra inte.  Konklusion: Kommunikation, trygghet och informationsanpassning är en viktig del för patienternas upplevelser i samband med en magnetkameraundersökning och möjligheten för att reducera dess negativa känslor som uppstår. / Background: Magnetic resonance imaging imply great diagnostical and medical opportunities, but entails often a discomfort for the patient, due to several different reasons. The patients’ experiences regarding the magnetic resonance imaging examination are important for the feeling of safeness and establish a contact with the x-ray nurse.  Aim: The literature study’s aim was to illustrate the experiences of patients regarding examination with magnetic resonance imaging.  Method: A literature study with results from eight qualitative studies. Articles that were reviewed with quality and were also analyzed. Searches have been carried out in PubMed and CINAHL.  Result: From the analysis, three categories were formed and also eight subcategories. The categories were: To lie in an MRI-scan, to undertake the examination procedure and also feelings. Patients experiences some kind of pain and discomfort during the MRI-scan. Some patients experience some negative feelings during the examination, whereas others do not experience that.  Conclusion: Communication, safeness and adaptation of the information are crucial parts for the experiences for the patients, regarding an examination within a magnetic resonance imaging, and the possibilities to reduce the negative feelings that occur during this kind of examination.  Keywords: