MR imaging of tubo-ovarian abscess.
PURPOSE AND MATERIAL AND METHODS: MR findings of 9 surgically proven tubo-ovarian abscesses were analyzed in 8 patients. The images were evaluated for signal intensity characteristics and morphologic appearance of the mass, and presence of secondary changes in adjacent pelvic organs and structures.


RESULTS
The signal intensity of the lesions on T1-weighted images was hypointense to the surrounding muscle and myometrium in 5 patients, isointense in 3 and hyperintense in 1. On T2-weighted images the signal intensity was hyperintense (n = 6) or heterogeneous (n = 3). A thin rim (1-3 mm) with hyperintensity on T1-weighted images was noted in the innermost aspect of the masses. Other findings were ill-defined margin, thickened wall, multiple internal septa, shading and gas collection. "Mesh-like" linear strands were noted in the pelvis in all patients, with involvement of adjacent pelvic organs in 7 and lymphadenopathy in 3.


CONCLUSIONS
In this limited number of cases MR imaging showed great potential for demonstrating the extent of the disease, characterizing the lesions and making a specific diagnosis.
Ha
H K
HK
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Catholic University Medical College, Seoul, Korea.
Lim
G Y
GY
Cha
E S
ES
Lee
H G
HG
Ro
H J
HJ
Kim
H S
HS
Kim
H H
HH
Joo
S W
SW
Jee
M K
MK
D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA