title: Female pelvis: impact of MR imaging on treatment decisions and net cost analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the impact of gynecologic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging on treatment decisions and net cost.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-nine consecutive women were referred for 70 pelvic MR imaging examinations. Diagnosis and treatment plans were obtained from referring physicians before and immediately after they were given verbal reports of MR imaging results. Outcome regarding treatment and symptoms was obtained at a mean follow-up of 10.9 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 49 (71%) patients originally recommended for surgery, 36 (73%) either did not undergo surgery or less invasive surgery was performed. In 58 (84%) patients, the treatment performed was that recommended after performance of MR imaging. Symptoms resolved in 57 (83%) patients. Use of MR imaging resulted in an overall savings of $63 per patient ($1,736 per patient originally recommended for surgery).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of pelvic MR imaging in diagnosis of some gynecologic diseases may alter treatment, decrease the number of invasive surgical procedures performed, and reduce total health care expenditures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Panageas
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Comite
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies