Susceptibility-weighted MRI of extra-ovarian endometriosis: preliminary results
Mayumi Takeuchi1, Kenji Matsuzaki2, Masafumi Harada2
1Department of Radiology, University of Tokushima, 3-18-15, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 7708503, Japan. mayumi@tokushima-u.ac.jp.
Purpose:
Extra-ovarian endometriosis (EOE) usually appears as solid masses mimicking neoplasms both clinically and radiologically. Detection of blood products within a lesion may be suggestive of its endometriotic nature. We present a descriptive study of MR imaging findings that include susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for patients with EOE.
Methods:
Eight pathologically proven EOE (3 bowel, 2 bladder and 3 abdominal wall) were evaluated. Fat-saturated T1-weighted images (fsT1WI) and SWI were obtained using 1.5T MR imaging. Images were reviewed for the presence of signal voids on SWI and of high-intensity foci on fsT1WI.
Results:
High-intensity foci reflecting subacute hemorrhage were detected in 4 of 8 lesions (50%) on fsT1WI, whereas signal voids reflecting acute to chronic hemorrhage were detected in all 8 lesions (100%) on SWI.
Conclusions:
SWI is a sensitive MRI technique which demonstrates hemorrhage of varying chronicity in patients with EOE and may improve future MRI characterization of EOE.
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