Pelvis

MRI offers exquisite detail of the pelvic anatomy - bladder, rectum, prostate (male), uterus, vagina and ovaries (female). MRI is commonly used to stage or demonstrate the extent of pelvic tumours. Using different scan sequences it is possible to clearly differentiate normal anatomy from pelvic tumours and its spread. Pelvic MRI is an excellent imaging modality in non cancerous gynaecological disorders.

MRI is also commonly used to look for tears in muscles such as the hamstrings. It can assess the severity of any tear and give an indication as to the length of the convalescence period which will be needed. It is good at looking for broken bones and stress fractures.

Normal Female Pelvis

The bladder, the uterus with its separate layers - muscle layer (myometrium) uterine lining (endometrium) and the ovaries can all be identified.

Fibroids

These are very common, benign (non cancerous) growths within the muscle layer of the uterus.

Symptoms
Heavy painful periods

MRI
Several circular well defined fibroids arising from the muscle layer of the uterus.

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a cancer which affects middle aged and elderly women. It starts in the ovaries but has frequently spread to involve other parts of the pelvis and abdomen at the time of diagnosis.

Symptoms
These include pelvic discomfort, abdominal swelling or bloating and general lassitude and tiredness.

MRI
A mass or lump arising from the ovary.

Cervical Cancer

Cervix cancer is the third most common cancer in females after breast and colorectal cancer. The peak incidence is in women between the ages of 35 and 50.

Symptoms
Symptoms include bleeding between periods or after intercourse, pelvic discomfort but sometimes no symptoms are apparent.

MRI
A mass or lump in the cervix .

Fractured Hip

MRI
Shows a fracture to the right hip which was not visible on the preceding plain x-ray.