Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Ultrasound in the Assessment of Benign Uterine Lesions

In: Medical Radiology · 1998 · pp. 43–67 · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-60260-3_3 · W28658836
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Magnetic resonance imaging is an important adjunct to ultrasound for evaluating complex uterine conditions, especially when ultrasound is suboptimal or nondiagnostic, or for specific preoperative planning and disease monitoring.

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This chapter reviews how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compares with ultrasound for assessing benign uterine lesions, emphasizing MRI’s soft-tissue differentiation and its role as an adjunct when ultrasound is technically suboptimal or nondiagnostic (e.g., uncertain pelvic mass origin, complex uterine congenital anomalies, or when transvaginal ultrasound is not feasible). It describes selected clinical scenarios in which MRI may be used for preoperative localization of uterine leiomyomas and for monitoring disease evolution during hormonal therapy for leiomyomas or adenomyosis. A key limitation noted is that ultrasound remains the initial procedure of choice, with MRI largely reserved for specific circumstances where additional tissue characterization is needed. Relevance to endometriosis: the paper discusses adenomyosis in relation to hormonal therapy monitoring, though its main focus is comparative imaging of benign uterine lesions using MRI versus ultrasound rather than endometriosis.

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Abstract

Recent developments in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including the advent of fast pulse sequences and phased-array multicoil technology, have increased the role of MRI in evaluating benign pathology of the uterus (HRICAK 1993). Although ultrasound remains the procedure of choice for the initial evaluation of patients with suspected uterine disease, MRI is an important adjunct due to its excellent soft tissue differentiation (CHANG and HRICAK 1989; HRICAK 1986). MRI is indicated in patients for whom the ultrasound examination is technically suboptimal or nondiagnostic. This is true, for example, in cases where the origin of a pelvic mass is uncertain and further tissue characterization is required. Patients with complex uterine congenital anomalies may also benefit from MRI, particularly when transvaginal ultrasound is not feasible. Similarly, in patients undergoing uterus-sparing surgery, MRI can be performed to accurately localize uterine leiomyomas for preoperative planning in selected cases. In addition, for patients receiving hormonal therapy in the treatment of leiomyomas or adenomyosis, MRI is ideal for monitoring the evolution of disease because standard and reproducible images can be obtained. This chapter will address the role of MRI in the evaluation of benign uterine pathology with an emphasis on its merits compared with ultrasound. Preview Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Ultrasound in the Assessment of Benign Uterine Lesions. In: Lang, E.K. (eds) Radiology of the Female Pelvic Organs. Medical Radiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-60260-3_3 Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-60260-3_3 Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg Print ISBN: 978-3-642-64324-8 Online ISBN: 978-3-642-60260-3 eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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