Magnifying chromoendoscopy is a reliable method in the selection of rectal neoplasms for local excision

Purpose Adequate staging of early rectal neoplasms is essential for organ-preserving treatments, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) frequently overestimates the stage of those lesions. We aimed to compare the ability of magnifying chromoendoscopy and MRI to select patients with early rectal neoplasms for local excision. Methods This retrospective study in a tertiary Western cancer center included consecutive patients evaluated by magnifying chromoendoscopy and MRI who underwent en bloc resection of nonpedunculated sessile polyps larger than 20 mm, laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) ≥ 20 mm, or depressed-type lesions of any size (Paris 0–IIc). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of magnifying chromoendoscopy and MRI to determine which lesions were amenable to local excision (i.e., ≤ T1sm1) were calculated. Results Specificity of magnifying chromoendoscopy was 97.3