MRI Pelvis Without and With IV Contrast MRI pelvis is an excellent imaging modality for the preoperative diagnosis of endometriosis [37-39] and has been shown to correspond well with surgical staging systems and histopathologic findings [40-43]. Variability in the literature surrounding accuracy of MRI compared to other modalities for detection of endometriosis may be attributed to differences in imaging techniques used [40]. The performance of MRI for detection of endometriosis varies by lesion location. MRI is excellent for identification of DE but has shown poorer diagnostic accuracy for detection of superficial peritoneal disease [44-46]. Image acquisition is more automated for MRI than US [47]. The large field-of-view afforded by MRI can decrease the need for multiple additional imaging studies that are sometimes required to supplement US pelvis studies, which do not include the entire urinary or gastrointestinal tracts [48]. MRI Pelvis Without IV Contrast MRI pelvis without IV contrast is helpful for the diagnosis of DE as described in the preceding paragraph. Although much of the literature surrounding MRI of the pelvis for detection of DE describes using IV contrast agents, a study that specifically compared MRI without IV contrast to MRI with IV contrast found no benefit of IV contrast media [50]. Endometriosis US Pelvis Transabdominal Although it is possible that larger ovarian endometriomas could be detected by transabdominal pelvic US, many of the structures involved by superficial and DE are not well seen by transabdominal technique alone. US Pelvis Transabdominal and US Pelvis Transvaginal Transabdominal pelvic US imaging is described in some endometriosis protocols as an adjunct to TVUS imaging to evaluate the urinary tract or gastrointestinal tract [51]. Transabdominal US can serve as an important adjunct to TVUS studies because it widens the field-of-view beyond what is possible by TVUS imaging. Transabdominal US imaging is useful for detection of urinary tract endometriosis.
Endometriosis. MRI Pelvis Without and With IV Contrast MRI pelvis is an excellent imaging modality for the preoperative diagnosis of endometriosis [37-39] and has been shown to correspond well with surgical staging systems and histopathologic findings [40-43]. Variability in the literature surrounding accuracy of MRI compared to other modalities for detection of endometriosis may be attributed to differences in imaging techniques used [40]. The performance of MRI for detection of endometriosis varies by lesion location. MRI is excellent for identification of DE but has shown poorer diagnostic accuracy for detection of superficial peritoneal disease [44-46]. Image acquisition is more automated for MRI than US [47]. The large field-of-view afforded by MRI can decrease the need for multiple additional imaging studies that are sometimes required to supplement US pelvis studies, which do not include the entire urinary or gastrointestinal tracts [48]. MRI Pelvis Without IV Contrast MRI pelvis without IV contrast is helpful for the diagnosis of DE as described in the preceding paragraph. Although much of the literature surrounding MRI of the pelvis for detection of DE describes using IV contrast agents, a study that specifically compared MRI without IV contrast to MRI with IV contrast found no benefit of IV contrast media [50]. Endometriosis US Pelvis Transabdominal Although it is possible that larger ovarian endometriomas could be detected by transabdominal pelvic US, many of the structures involved by superficial and DE are not well seen by transabdominal technique alone. US Pelvis Transabdominal and US Pelvis Transvaginal Transabdominal pelvic US imaging is described in some endometriosis protocols as an adjunct to TVUS imaging to evaluate the urinary tract or gastrointestinal tract [51]. Transabdominal US can serve as an important adjunct to TVUS studies because it widens the field-of-view beyond what is possible by TVUS imaging. Transabdominal US imaging is useful for detection of urinary tract endometriosis.