The value of MRI in evaluating perirectal and pelvic disease.
MRI of the perirectal region is facilitated by the superb soft tissue contrast, multiplanar imaging capability, lack of respiratory motion artifact and absence of clip artifact which can hamper visualization by CT scan. MRI provides distinct advantages over CT scanning without the need for ionizing radiation or the injection of intravenous contrast material. This study reviews the findings in 18 consecutive patients with a variety of perirectal pathologies including rectal carcinoma (3), gynecologic neoplasm (8), sacral lesions (2), pelvic arteriovenous malformations (2), inflammatory bowel disease (2), and a pelvic kidney (1). In the perirectal region, MR was useful to show normal tissue planes, benign processes which can mimic neoplasm, intrapelvic extension of malignancy and adenopathy.
Department of Radiology, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York.
M C
MC
Fishman-Javitt
J L
JL
Lovecchio
B
B
Javors
J B
JB
Naidich
M
M
McKinley
H L
HL
Stein
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D012447:Sacrum / Q000473:pathology; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis