Role of MRI Diffusion Weighted Imaging in Evaluation of Gynecological Pelvic Masses

Abstract

Background: Gynecological Pelvic masses are common problem that are commonly discovered during routine gynecologic or physical examinations. Radiologists routinely evaluate a wide range of pelvic masses during daily practice. Proper management depends on proper preoperative assessment with the help of clinical examination, laboratory tests and different imaging modalities. Radiological evaluation includes ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) and recently magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is widely used in protocols for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the female pelvis. It provides functional and structural information about biological tissues, without the use of ionizing radiation or intravenous administration of contrast medium.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role of diffusion weighted imaging in the characterization of gynecological pelvic masses and differentiation between benign and malignant tumors.

Patients and Methods: This study was performed on 63 patients. All patients had US findings of uterine and adnexal lesions then they underwent conventional MRI with contrast & DWI.

Results: DWI is significant promising tool factors for characterization of gynecological tumors and differentiation between benign & malignant lesions with high sensitivity 95% (81%:99% with 95% CI). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of detection of the nature of the lesions have been increased after adding of DWI to the conventional imaging.

Conclusions: Adding of DWI to the conventional MRI improves the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis and allows confident diagnosis and differentiation between benign and malignant lesions.