Prevalence of Female Pelvic Pathologies: Cross-sectional Study among Patients Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Pelvic Assessment

Abstract

Introduction: A wide variety of pathologies affect the female genital tract. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has recently become a useful tool for the evaluation of female pelvic pathologies owing to certain benefits over ultrasonography. This modality, in the long run would be helpful in improving early diagnosis and clinical management of many patients. Aim: To demonstrate the wide spectrum of female pelvic pathologies that can be diagnosed using MRI. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out at Department of Radiodiagnosis among 75 patients referred to the MRI department for assessment of female pelvic organ pathologies. Appropriate MRI sequences and multiplanar imaging were performed for every patient and findings noted in a pre-designed proforma. Results: On MRI, 46 (61.3%) patients had Uterine and Cervical pathology and 32 (42.7%) patients had Adnexal pathology among others. Vaginal pathologies were noted in 10 (13.3%) patients. Rectal and urinary bladder pathologies were seen in 5 (6.7%) and 1 (1.3%) patients respectively. Conclusion: The study shows that MRI was especially useful in detecting a wide spectrum of female pelvic pathologies including benign lesions such as fibroids, congenital mullerian anomalies, adenomyosis and endometriosis; and malignancies.