MR Imaging of Pelvic Masses: A Compartmental Approach

Publication date: Available online 28 November 2016
Source:Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI
Author(s): Kiran Gangadhar, Abhishek Mahajan, Nilesh Sable, Puneet Bhargava
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is often "one stop shop" for evaluating female pelvic masses which helps in diagnosis, staging and restaging of these tumors. A pelvic mass can arise from any tissue present within the pelvis. While most masses in the female pelvis arise from the reproductive organs, masses may also arise from the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, adjacent soft tissues, peritoneum etc. It may not always be possible to determine the site of origin or distinguish these masses based on imaging characteristics. However, familiarity with the clinico-pathologic and MR imaging features of most common pelvic masses helps in narrowing the differential diagnosis. Diagnosis of these masses needs a holistic approach as required for any tumor including clinical history, laboratory data and imaging characteristics. We focus on MR imaging characteristics of commonly encountered pelvic masses. A compartmental imaging approach is discussed in this review article which helps in identifying and characterizing these masses.



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