Magnetic resonance manifestations of endometrial cysts at 3 T compared with 1.5 T.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 3 T compared with 1.5 T while focusing on the shading sign of endometrial cysts on T2-weighted images.


METHODS
Fifteen ovarian endometrial cysts in 10 patients underwent pelvic MR scans on 3-T and 1.5-T scanners. Fast spin-echo T2-weighted images were obtained. The images were evaluated qualitatively for the presence of the shading sign. Quantitative evaluation was performed by comparing the cyst-to-muscle signal intensity ratio at 3 T and that at 1.5 T.


RESULTS
The signal intensity of the cysts was lower at 3 T than that at 1.5 T by visual evaluation. In 2 lesions, the shading sign was demonstrated at 3 T but was not at 1.5 T. The cyst-to-muscle signal intensity ratio at 3 T was significantly lower than that at 1.5 T.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T is useful for the diagnosis of endometrial cysts with better demonstration of the shading sign on T2-weighted images.
Department of Radiology, University of Tokushima, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Japan. mayumi@clin.med.tokushima-u,ac.jp
Mayumi
M
Takeuchi
Kenji
K
Matsuzaki
Hitoshi
H
Kubo
Hiromu
H
Nishitani
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies