MRI of the uterus, as well as the ovaries and tubes, is a very important examination method for any woman. Thanks to magnetic resonance imaging, the doctor will be able to examine in detail the condition of bones and other tissues in the female body and find almost any disease. It is especially important to detect malignant tumors in the early stages of their development, which is an excellent job of tomography.
What is the advantage of this research method?
If we talk about the benefits of MRI of the uterus and ovaries, as well as tubes, then there are a whole lot of them. In addition to being considered a more informative method compared to, for example, ultrasound or X-ray, tomography has a number of other advantages.
- Firstly, MRI is performed without penetration into the skin, which completely eliminates trauma during the procedure. Doctors call it non-invasive.
- Secondly, any harmful radiation is excluded during tomography. You can carry out this procedure several times.in a row, which cannot be said about the X-ray.
- Third, MRI is a unique procedure. No other method gives such a clear and accurate picture. Thanks to this image, which is impossible to achieve with ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor can assess the picture of the state of he alth and make a diagnosis.
- Fourthly, during the tomography, a three-dimensional image is issued. The organ is shown in different projections, which eliminates the possibility of missing, for example, a tumor or other lesions.
- Fifth, if a woman is suspected of having cervical cancer, an MRI is a great way to rule out or confirm the diagnosis. In the image, the tumor is reflected clearly and its dimensions are extremely accurately determined.
- Sixth, after the tomography, the patient is given not only pictures, but also a special electronic media (disk). It will contain all the information that the attending physician may need.
How to prepare for an examination?
It is very important to properly prepare before an MRI of the uterus. What this survey shows was discussed above, but sometimes the picture is still not fully displayed. Why is this happening?
So, during the tomography, the patient can be in clothes only if there are no metal objects on the things. Also, the last meal for the patient is shown 5 hours before the procedure. In addition, it is advisable for a woman to contact a specialist to identify a possible allergy to the injected contrast.
If a woman is afraid of closed space (and lyingit will take about 30 minutes), then she must definitely warn the attending physician about this. Then she will be offered to undergo a tomography in an open type apparatus, where the magnet will be located only on the top, bottom and one side.
Also, in order for the MRI of the uterus to be successful, the patient before the examination must necessarily acquaint the doctor with the full history of her illnesses. This is extremely important, since the gynecologist immediately assume the presence of hereditary pathologies.
Indications for MRI
There are a number of diseases of the female genital organs, which are an absolute indication for tomography. To accurately confirm or exclude pathologies, an MRI of the uterus is prescribed. What does this procedure show and what changes does this examination require?
- Tomography helps to establish the cause of various bleedings of unknown nature, if other methods are not informative.
- Examination helps to establish the nature and nature of the various neoplasms that were found during the examination.
- Severe pain in the lower abdomen and lower back are a direct indication.
- Endometriosis is also an indication for this procedure.
- Sometimes an MRI can help find and identify the cause of infertility.
It is worth noting that when tumors are detected, the procedure using contrast is most often performed.
What are the contraindications?
Like any other procedure, uterine tomography has special contraindications,despite being relatively few in number.
- Female MRI should not be performed if the patient has an iodine allergy.
- Also, if a woman is pregnant, it is not recommended to undergo an MRI of the uterus. Pregnancies, especially in the early stages, are an absolute contraindication.
- MRI is not recommended for patients with kidney failure.
- Examination is not carried out on persons in whose body any metal objects are installed.
Sarcoma detection
Sarcoma is the most aggressive and dangerous type of malignant tumor. It can occur in any part of the body, including the female genital organs. MRI of the uterus, ovaries, appendages and tubes helps to accurately identify the location of the tumor, determine its size and area of damage.
Already during the tomography, an experienced doctor will be able to easily determine the nature of the cancer. Also in the pictures will be "captured" and nearby organs. If the patient's terrible diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will be able to see if the nearest areas are affected, and if the lymph nodes are not affected.
Cervical MRI
The cervix is the most vulnerable part of the female reproductive system. Pathogenic bacteria are most often deposited in it and it is here that infectious and inflammatory diseases are most often found.
Most often in the neck there are such pathologies:
- growthendometrium;
- endocervicitis;
- polyp growth;
- oncological tumors;
- dysplasia.
The good news for cervical cancer patients is that in the initial stages, this disease is most often cured completely. Therefore, tomography is the best method for excluding this pathology, although many doctors limit themselves to prescribing ultrasound diagnostics.
Average cost of uterine magnetic resonance imaging
Despite the fact that there are some limits regarding the cost of this procedure, it is impossible to name a certain price. The fact is that the price tag directly depends on the region, the level of the clinic and the level of the device. Of course, uterine MRI can also be done in social he alth facilities, but this procedure is expensive and, as a rule, there is always a very long queue for it.
If we talk about approximate price tags, then the cost of tomography of the pelvic organs costs from 5,000 to 8,000 rubles. This price does not include the contrast agent. If you need an MRI with contrast, the cost of the procedure increases by an average of 2,000 rubles.
Patient testimonials
Mostly there are positive reviews about this procedure. However, there are those women who, for some reason, were dissatisfied with the tomography.
During positive statements, the patients claim that it was the MRI of the uterus that helped them to identify some diseases at the earliest stages (provided that the woman undergoesgynecological examination). Women also note that despite possible allergic reactions of the contrast, the substance is much easier to tolerate than the drug that is injected into the body during an X-ray or CT scan.
Negative feedback is left only by those patients who are afraid of a closed (enclosed) space. In addition, it is really difficult for some women to be immobile for a long time. As a rule, such patients experience severe pain in the lower abdomen or in the lower back.
