title: Non-neoplastic diseases of the fallopian tube: MR imaging with emphasis on diffusion-weighted imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We illustrate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of non-neoplastic tubaric conditions.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  A variety of pathologic non-neoplastic conditions may affect the fallopian tubes. Knowledge of their imaging appearance is important for correct diagnosis. With recent advances in MRI, along with conventional MR sequences, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences are available and may improve lesion characterization by discriminating the nature of the content of the dilated tube. Tubal fluid with low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, high signal intensity on T2-weighted images and no restricted diffusion on DWI is indicative of hydrosalpinx. Content with high signal intensity on T1-weighted images and restricted diffusion on DWI is suggestive of hematosalpinx associated with endometriosis or tubal pregnancy. A dilated tube with variable or heterogeneous signal intensity content on conventional MR sequences and restricted diffusion on DWI may suggest a pyosalpinx or tubo-ovarian abscess. We describe morphological characteristics, MR signal intensity features, enhancement behaviour and possible differential diagnosis of each lesion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI is the method of choice to study adnexal pelvic masses. Qualitative and quantitative functional imaging with DWI can be of help in characterization of tubaric diseases, provided that findings are interpreted in conjunction with those obtained with conventional MRI sequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Nondilated fallopian tubes are not usually seen on MR images. • MRI is the method of choice to characterize and localize utero-adnexal masses. • MRI allows characterization of lesions through evaluation of the fluid content's signal intensity. • DWI in conjunction with conventional MRI sequences may improve tissue characterization. • Pelvic inflammatory disease is the most common tubal pathology.
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy. pietrofoti@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Pietro Valerio
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Foti
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Noemi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ognibene
authors.affiliation: Department G.F. Ingrassia - Institute of Pathology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Saveria
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spadola
authors.affiliation: Department G.F. Ingrassia - Institute of Pathology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caltabiano
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palmucci
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milone
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni Carlo
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Ettorre
keywords: Adnexal masses; Diffusion-weighted imaging; Fallopian tube; Magnetic resonance imaging; Pelvic inflammatory disease