HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Siegelman, E. S. Articles by Outwater, E. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Siegelman, E. S. Articles by Outwater, E. K.

Tissue Characterization in the Female Pelvis by Means of MR Imaging¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 1st Floor Silverstein, 3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283 (E.S.S.), and the Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa (E.K.O.). Received July 16, 1998; revision requested August 28; revision received October 13; accepted February 10, 1999. Address reprint requests to E.S.S. (e-mail: siegelm@oasis.rad.upenn.edu).

Abstract

Pelvic imaging techniques such as computed tomography and ultrasonography provide a limited capability for tissue characterization. Fat, fluid, and calcification, for example, can be identified on the basis of parameters such as x-ray attenuation, echogenicity, and sound attenuation. Because of the many tissue parameters, such as T1, T2, magnetic susceptibility, and chemical shift, that contribute to signal intensity, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may afford an ability to identify a wider array of specific tissues. The purpose of this article is to review the ability of MR imaging to help identify various types of soft tissue and to provide an approach to interpretation of MR images of the female pelvis through tissue characterization. Lipid, fluid, hemorrhage, smooth muscle, fibrosis, solid malignant tissue, and hydrated soft tissue (including edema, mucin, and myxomatous tissue) have typical MR imaging properties, and their presence in a mass can often be established on MR images. Consideration of the tissue composition of various pathologic processes in the pelvis can result in more systematic approaches to image interpretation and thus narrow the differential diagnosis.

Index terms: Magnetic resonance (MR), tissue characterization, 85.121412, 85.121413, 85.121414 • Pelvic organs, MR, 85.121412, 85.121413, 85.121414 • State-of-art reviews

This article has been cited by other articles:

				I. Thomassin-Naggara, M. Bazot, E. Darai, P. Callard, J. Thomassin, and C. A. Cuenod Epithelial Ovarian Tumors: Value of Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MR Imaging and Correlation with Tumor Angiogenesis Radiology, July 1, 2008; 248(1): 148 - 159. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S Ghattamaneni, M J Weston, and J A Spencer Imaging in endometriosis Imaging, December 1, 2007; 19(4): 345 - 368. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. R. Vijayaraghavan and D. Levine Case 109: Meigs Syndrome Radiology, March 1, 2007; 242(3): 940 - 944. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Sinha and R. Verma Case 106: Aggressive Angiomyxoma Radiology, February 1, 2007; 242(2): 625 - 627. [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. E. Green, K. J. Mortele, J. N. Glickman, and C. B. Benson Brenner Tumors of the Ovary: Sonographic and Computed Tomographic Imaging Features. J. Ultrasound Med., October 1, 2006; 25(10): 1245 - 1251. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T Tamada, T Sone, D Tanimoto, H Higashi, H Miyoshi, N Egashira, A Yamamoto, and S Imai MRI appearance of primary giant ovarian leiomyoma in a hysterectomised woman. Br. J. Radiol., October 1, 2006; 79(946): e126 - e128. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Adusumilli, H. K. Hussain, E. M. Caoili, W. J. Weadock, J. P. Murray, T. D. Johnson, Q. Chen, and B. Desjardins MRI of sonographically indeterminate adnexal masses. Am. J. Roentgenol., September 1, 2006; 187(3): 732 - 740. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. J. Burkholz, B. P. Wood, and C. Zuppan Best Cases from the AFIP: Borderline Papillary Serous Tumor of the Right Ovary RadioGraphics, November 1, 2005; 25(6): 1689 - 1692. [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. O. Tanaka, H. Tsunoda, Y. Kitagawa, T. Ueno, H. Yoshikawa, and Y. Saida Functioning Ovarian Tumors: Direct and Indirect Findings at MR Imaging RadioGraphics, October 1, 2004; 24(suppl_1): S147 - S166. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. Glastonbury The Shading Sign Radiology, July 1, 2002; 224(1): 199 - 201. [Full Text]

				P. J. Woodward, R. Sohaey, and T. P. Mezzetti Jr Endometriosis: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation RadioGraphics, January 1, 2001; 21(1): 193 - 216. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y.-Y. Jeong, E. K. Outwater, and H. K. Kang Imaging Evaluation of Ovarian Masses RadioGraphics, September 1, 2000; 20(5): 1445 - 1470. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]