MRI of the uterus

MRI of the uterus and appendages is a diagnostic examination method that allows to assess the condition of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Nodular formations, bleeding, abnormalities of the uterus and appendages, cervical dysplasia, as well as tumor processes are the diagnoses with which patients are most often sent for MRI. This method is referred to as non-invasive, which does not require direct intervention in the reproductive organs of women.

Doctors

Indications for MRI of the uterus

• suspected benign uterine formations (fibroids, teratomas, polyps, etc.);
• suspected malignancies of the uterus or appendages (endometrial or ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, etc.);
• differential diagnosis of malignancy of detected uterine and ovarian neoplasms;
• pain in the lower abdomen, which is periodic in nature (increases before the menstrual cycle or during sexual intercourse), and in some cases the pain is constant;
• more heavy and prolonged than usual bleeding during the menstrual cycle (suspected endometriosis, adenomyosis);
• assessment of the spread of the process (secondary damage to surrounding organs) in the confirmation of malignancy;
• quality control of the treatment (post-radiation, chemotherapy or surgery);
• abnormalities in the development of the structure of the uterus, ovaries etc.

Diagnostics of the uterus

The St. Paraskeva Medical Center has a powerful radiology department with innovative diagnostic equipment of the highest world level.

One of them is the latest generation 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imager Toshiba Vantage ZGV Atlas (Japan).

Advantages of MRI of the uterus

• safe for health examination method;
• non-invasive diagnostic method;
• is the most accurate method of diagnosing reproductive organs compared to ultrasound and MSCT;
• step-by-step scanning from 3 to 5 mm of the examined area;
• dynamic examination, which allows for differential diagnosis between benign and malignant changes in the uterus and appendages;
• application of special programs with a scanning pitch of 2 mm when evaluating surrounding structures to determine secondary damage.

Preparation for the examination

An important step before the examination 2-3 days before the scheduled diagnosis is to follow a slag-free diet and refrain from consuming foods that can cause gas formation. These include: cabbage, all types of legumes, and lactic acid products.

Magnetic resonance imaging of female reproductive organs is performed with intravenous or intramuscular administration of antispasmodics. Temporary reduction of intestinal peristalsis will allow to obtain clear images without artifacts.

In some cases, the patient may be offered intravenous contrast. If the patient has no contraindications, then a peripheral catheter is placed in their vessel.

Examination

The examination begins with filling in the patient's information questionnaire and preparation before the examination: removal of outerwear, jewelry or metal structures. Personal belongings can be left in a lockable booth, and valuables in a safe. The procedure lasts from 30 to 45 minutes depending on whether the patient needs to be injected with contrast.

Before the examination, the medical staff of the MRI room informs the patient about the peculiarities of the procedure. Directly during the examination, the patient is required to lie still.

At the end of the diagnosis, the patient dresses and waits for a CD with all the images obtained during the examination. The patient can receive the conclusion of the radiologist by e-mail or at the reception at the St. Paraskeva Medical Center.

In cases when a patient is recommended to undergo MRI of the bladder with contrast, a contrast agent is injected into the vessel remotely during the examination using a modern MRI injector Ulrich Medical Mississippi XD2000 (Germany). At the moment of contrast injection, the patient does not feel anything. After the contrasting, the peripheral catheter is removed from the vessel, and a disposable patch is applied to the puncture site.

Contraindications to MRI of the uterus

General contraindications:

• pacemaker;
• metal structures in the body that tend to be magnetized, etc.

In case of contrast:

• Individual hypersensitivity to gadoteric acid, meglumin, or any drug containing gadolinium.
• Functional disorders of the kidneys (decreased renal clearance).