Use of MR Imaging for Further Evaluation of Sonographically Detected Adnexal Pathology

This article describes the sonographic and MR imaging features of adnexal masses detected with sonography and for which MR imaging may be of incremental benefit. The authors discuss a practical radiologic approach to cross-sectional imaging and patient management. In situations in which there is uncertainty regarding the nature of the adnexal mass or its origin, MR imaging may be used as a problem-solving modality. In women of reproductive age, MR imaging is typically requested for further characterization of masses such as endometriomas, dermoids, or degenerating extrauterine leiomyomas because these may not demonstrate overtly benign sonographic features. MR imaging can also be used to characterize the tissue as blood products or confirm true vascularity and can reveal appendicitis in a pregnant patient.