ObjectiveTo evaluate the indications for performing magnetic resonance imaging of the
female pelvis at a referral center for cancer.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective, single-center study, conducted by reviewing medical
records and imaging reports. We included 1060 female patients who underwent
magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis at a cancer center between January
2013 and June 2014. The indications for performing the examination were
classified according to the American College of Radiology (ACR)
criteria.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 52.6 ± 14.8 years, and 49.8% were
perimenopausal or postmenopausal. The majority (63.9%) had a history of
cancer, which was gynecologic in 29.5% and nongynecologic in 34.4%. Of the
patients evaluated, 44.0% had clinical complaints, the most common being
pelvic pain (in 11.5%) and bleeding (in 9.8%), and 34.7% of patients had
previously had abnormal findings on ultrasound. Most (76.7%) of the patients
met the criteria for undergoing magnetic resonance imaging, according to the
ACR guidelines. The main indications were evaluation of tumor recurrence
after surgical resection (in 25.9%); detection and staging of gynecologic
neoplasms (in 23.3%); and evaluation of pelvic pain or of a mass (in
17.1%).ConclusionIn the majority of the cases evaluated, magnetic resonance imaging was
clearly indicated according to the ACR criteria. The main indication was
local recurrence after surgical treatment of pelvic malignancies, which is
consistent with the routine protocols at cancer centers.
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