RadteraMRI Pelvis With and Without Contrast
MR+ ContrastAbdomen & Pelvis
Indications
- Adnexal/uterine mass characterization
- Endometriosis / adenomyosis / fibroids
- Cervical or endometrial cancer staging
- Rectal/anal pathology
- Bladder mass
- Pelvic pain / Mullerian anomaly
Patient prep
- Moderate NPO (3-4 h) to reduce bowel motion; antiperistaltic agent (e.g., glucagon/hyoscine) per site
- Partially full bladder (not over-distended)
- MRI safety screening; IV access for contrast
- Body/torso phased-array coil
Contrast
Agentgadolinium-based
RouteIV
Dose0.1 mmol/kg
TimingDynamic and/or delayed post-contrast fat-sat T1 (e.g., adnexal mass, fibroid mapping)
Technique
- Supine, pelvic phased-array; small FOV high-resolution T2 is the cornerstone
- High-resolution T2 in planes aligned to organ of interest (e.g., along/perpendicular to uterine body or cervix)
- DWI for tumor/endometriosis/abscess
- Antispasmodic reduces bowel motion artifact
Series / Sequences
| # | Series / Sequence | Plane | Weighting / Recon | Thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ax T2 FSE | axial | T2 | 4-5 mm | Overview, nodes |
| 2 | Sag T2 FSE | sagittal | T2 | 3-4 mm | Uterus/cervix/bladder/rectum |
| 3 | Cor / oblique high-res T2 | coronal/oblique | T2 | 3-4 mm | Aligned to organ axis |
| 4 | Ax T1 (in/opposed) | axial | T1 | 4-5 mm | Fat/hemorrhage (dermoid, endometrioma) |
| 5 | Ax DWI/ADC | axial | DWI | 4-5 mm | Tumor, abscess, endometriosis |
| 6 | Ax/Sag T1 fat-sat post | axial/sagittal | T1 FS +C | 3-5 mm | Dynamic for adnexal mass/fibroid |
Key points
- High-resolution T2 aligned to the target organ is the most important sequence.
- T1 in/opposed and fat-sat distinguishes fat (dermoid) from blood (endometrioma).
- DWI/ADC valuable for malignancy, nodal disease, and abscess.
- Antiperistaltic agent and modest bladder filling reduce artifacts.
- Tailor planes to indication (rectal cancer: high-res oblique axial perpendicular to tumor).
References
• ACR-SAR-SPR Practice Parameter for MRI of the Pelvis
• Radiopaedia: Female pelvis MRI protocol link
• ACR Appropriateness Criteria: relevant pelvic topics
• Radiopaedia: Female pelvis MRI protocol link
• ACR Appropriateness Criteria: relevant pelvic topics
Source: Researched — verify against your institution
‹ PreviousMRI Abdomen / Liver With and Without Contrast + MRCPNext ›MRI Prostate Multiparametric (mpMRI, PI-RADS v2.1)
Reference template — verify and adapt to your scanner, vendor and institution before clinical use. Not a substitute for clinical judgment.