In a prospective study an attempt was made to determine the value of conventional MRI (354 patients) and MRI using the endorectal surface coil (ESC) (36 patients) in the preoperative staging of prostatic carcinoma. Local preoperative staging with conventional MRI was correct in 83.9% and 88.9% with ESC-MRI. Compared to conventional MRI, ESC-MRI was better in the delineation of the prostatic capsule and early detection of infiltration into the neurovascular bundle. Lymph node staging with MRI showed a sensitivity of 54.4% in detecting pelvic lymph node metastasis. MRI is as limited as CT in assessing pelvic lymph node metastasis.