Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Pelvic Organs

Author: Otari Nergadze, April 4, 2024

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic organs

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic organs

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic organs is performed after a preliminary ultrasound examination of this anatomical region.

The advantages of the method of magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic organs are:

incredibly high diagnostic efficiency, not comparable to other clinical diagnostic tests
the harmlessness of the examination (no radiation exposure) - the examination does not use X-rays, unlike CT and X-ray diagnostics
high resolution - on magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic organs, you can see objects up to several millimeters in size and it is possible to obtain an image in any plane
visualization of any tissue in normal conditions and in the presence of pathology.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic organs in a woman (uterus and appendages are visible).

Indications for magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic organs in men and women arise when:

traumatic pelvic injuries;
suspicion of a tumor of the bladder, uterus, prostate gland;
tumors of the pelvic organs in order to assess their spread to adjacent structures;
vesiculitis;
sacral pain or sacrodynia;
to assess the state of regional lymph nodes.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic organs in a woman (uterus and bladder are visible).

There are several possible reasons for the development of pathology of the pelvic organs:

inflammation (adnexitis, endometritis, prostatitis, proctitis, orchitis, vesiculitis)
tumor or another proliferative process (fibroids, prostate adenoma, rectal polyp, etc.)
diseases associated with vascular pathology (hemorrhoids)
acute conditions (ovarian apoplexy, bladder rupture, etc.)
other diseases of the genitourinary system

All these pathological processes can be recognized and differentiated using magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic organs.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic organs in a man (visible prostate gland, seminal vesicles, bladder and ureter).

It is advisable to carry out studies of the pelvic organs on a magnetic resonance imager with a magnetic field strength of 1.5 Tesla. In some cases, you may be offered the introduction of an intravenous contrast agent to assess the nature of the process and its prevalence.

Our patients are invited to undergo an MRI of the pelvic organs using a device with a magnetic field of 3.0 T (Tesla). It is also possible to conduct MRI with intravenous contrast (Omniscan contrast) to increase the visual difference between healthy tissue and tumor. Weight restriction (for a patient with a large weight) during magnetic resonance imaging - up to 200 kg.

Indications for the use of magnetic resonance imaging in prostate cancer (prostate) - local and regional staging of the oncological process. The high specificity of magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate gland (prostate) (about 88–90%) dictates the need to use this method in patients with a medium and high risk of extra-organ tumor spread to determine the stage of local spread and determine the indications, respectively, for surgical or radiation treatment.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic organs in a man (visible prostate gland (prostate), seminal vesicles, bladder and testicle).

The results of the analysis of decision making convincingly prove the need for the appointment of magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate (prostate) in patients with the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood > 10 ng/ml. Also, magnetic resonance imaging allows assessing the state of regional lymph nodes, surpassing computed tomography (CT) in diagnostic accuracy, and detecting metastases in the bones of the pelvis and lumbar spine. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic organs does not require special preparation of the patient, however, both men and women require some (not tight) filling of the bladder, that is, it is not recommended to empty the bladder before the study.