MRI of the uterus, as well as the ovaries and tubes is a very important examination method for any woman. Thanks to magnetic resonance imaging, the doctor will be able to study in detail the condition of bones and other tissues in the female body and find almost any disease. It is especially important to identify malignant tumors in the early stages of their development, which tomography copes well with.
What is the advantage of this research method?
If we talk about the benefits of MRI of the uterus and ovaries, as well as tubes, then there is a whole mass of them. In addition to the fact that tomography is considered a more informative method compared, for example, with ultrasound or x-ray, it has a number of other advantages.
- Firstly, MRI is performed without penetration into the skin, which completely eliminates trauma during the procedure. Doctors call this non-invasiveness.
- Secondly, during the tomography any harmful radiation is excluded. This procedure can be performed several times in a row, which cannot be said about x-rays.
- Thirdly, MRI is a unique procedure. No method provides such a clear and accurate picture. Thanks to this image, which is impossible to achieve with ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor can evaluate the picture of the state of health and make a diagnosis.
- Fourth, a three-dimensional image is produced during tomography. The organ is shown in different projections, which excludes the possibility of skipping, for example, a tumor or other lesions.
- Fifth, if a woman has a suspicion of cervical cancer, MRI is a great way to rule out or confirm a diagnosis. In the picture, the tumor is reflected clearly and its dimensions are extremely accurately determined.
- Sixth, after a tomography scan, the patient is given not only pictures, but also a special electronic medium (disk). It will record all the information that the attending physician may need.
How to prepare for the examination?
It is very important to properly prepare before an MRI of the uterus. What this survey shows was analyzed above, but sometimes the picture is still not fully displayed. Why is this happening?
So, during the tomography, the patient can be in clothes only if there are no metal objects on things. Also, the last meal is shown to the patient 5 hours before the procedure. In addition, it is advisable for a woman to consult a specialist to identify a possible allergy to the introduced contrast.
If a woman is afraid of the enclosed space (and it is about 30 minutes to lie in it), then she must warn the attending physician about this. Then she will be offered to undergo tomography in an open-type apparatus, where the magnet will be located only above, below and from one side.
Also, in order for an uterine MRI to be successful, the patient must familiarize the doctor with the full history of her illnesses before the examination. This is extremely important, since the gynecologist immediately suggests the presence of hereditary pathologies.
Indications for MRI
There are a number of diseases of the female genital organs, which are an absolute indication for tomography. To accurately confirm or exclude pathology, an uterine MRI is prescribed. What does this procedure show and what changes require this examination?
- Tomography helps to establish the cause of various bleeding of unknown nature, if other methods are not informative.
- The examination helps to establish the nature and nature of various neoplasms that were found during examination.
- A direct indication is the strong pain in the lower abdomen and lower back.
- Endometriosis is also an indication for this procedure.
- Sometimes MRI helps to find and establish the cause of infertility.
It is worth noting that when tumors are detected, the procedure is most often performed using contrast.
What are the contraindications?
As with any other procedure, uterine tomography has special contraindications, despite the fact that they are relatively few.
- MRI of female organs cannot be performed if the patient has been identified as allergic to iodine.
- Also, if the woman is in position, then it is not recommended to undergo an MRI of the uterus. Pregnancies, especially in the early stages, are an absolute contraindication.
- It is undesirable to perform MRI in patients with renal failure.
- The examination is not carried out to persons in whose body any metal objects are installed.
Sarcoma Detection
Sarcoma is the most aggressive and dangerous type of malignant tumor. It can occur in any part of the body, including in the female genital organs. MRI of the uterus, ovaries, appendages and tubes helps to accurately identify the location of the tumor, determine its size and area of damage.
Already during the tomography, an experienced doctor will be able to easily determine the nature of the cancerous growth. Also in the pictures will be "captured" and nearby organs. If a terrible diagnosis is confirmed in the patient, the doctor will be able to see if the nearest areas are affected, and also if the lymph nodes are not affected.
Cervical MRI
The cervix is the most vulnerable part in the reproductive system of the female body. Pathogenic bacteria most often settle in it and it is here that infectious and inflammatory diseases are most often found.
Most often in the neck there are such pathologies:
- proliferation of the endometrium;
- endocervicitis;
- polyp growth;
- oncological tumors;
- dysplasia.
The good news for cervical cancer patients is that in the initial stages this disease is most often completely cured. Therefore, tomography is the best method of eliminating this pathology, although many doctors are limited to the appointment of ultrasound diagnostics.
The average cost of magnetic resonance imaging of the uterus
Despite the fact that there is some framework regarding the cost of this procedure, it is impossible to name a certain price. The fact is that the price tag directly depends on the region, the level of the clinic and the level of the device. Of course, it is also possible to undergo uterine MRI in social medical institutions, but this procedure is expensive and, as a rule, it is always a very long queue.
If we talk about approximate price tags, then the cost of tomography of the pelvic organs is from 5,000 to 8,000 rubles. This price does not include contrast agent. If you need an MRI with contrast, the cost of the procedure increases by an average of 2,000 rubles.
Patient Reviews
In general, there are positive reviews about this procedure. However, there are those women who, for some reason, were unsatisfied with tomography.
During the positive statements, the patients claim that it was the MRI of the uterus that helped them to identify some diseases at the very early stages (provided that the woman undergoes a gynecological examination once a year). Also, women note that despite possible allergic reactions of contrast, the substance is much easier to carry than the drug that is introduced into the body during an X-ray or CT scan.
Negative reviews are left only by those patients who experience fear of a closed (enclosed) space. In addition, it is really difficult for some women to be stationary for a long time. As a rule, such patients experience severe pain in the lower abdomen or lower back.