Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of complete mesocolic excision, along with a review of the relevant vascular anatomy and locoregional staging concepts, for abdominal radiologists. RESULTS: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (CVL) for colon cancer has emerged as a technique that has growing interest in surgical oncology. Specific anatomic considerations and patterns of nodal spread have thus gained clinical significance, and should be familiar to abdominal radiologists. This review article provides an overview of CME with CVL, and discusses some of the important anatomic considerations in patients with colon cancer that are relevant to radiologists. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of CME with CVL and the relevant anatomic and staging considerations is important for abdominal radiologists, as this surgical technique becomes increasingly utilized.