[MR imaging of the seminal vesicles--correlations between age, size and signal intensity]

MR findings of 82 cases without seminal vesicle lesions were retrospectively evaluated to assess the mutual correlations between age, size and signal intensity of the seminal vesicle. MR findings of 31 cases of carcinomatous invasion to the seminal vesicle were also evaluated as a control group for low signal intensity area-study. 1.5T superconductive unit (Toshiba 2000FX-II) was used to obtain T1-weighted (SE500/13) and T2-weighted (SE2500/80) images. Significant correlations were noted between age, short-axis diameter of the seminal vesicle and global signal intensity of the seminal vesicle on T2-weighted images. In the study of low signal intensity area on T2-weighted images, diffuse strand-like low signal intensity areas were occasionally seen in cases without seminal vesicle lesions. On the other hand, low signal intensity areas in cases of carcinomatous invasion to the seminal vesicle tended to be more localized and nodular. MR evaluation of cases without seminal vesicle lesions is important not only to delineate physiological changes of the seminal vesicle, but also to avoid erroneous MR-diagnosis of seminal vesicle lesions.