MR Imaging of the Uterine Cervix: Imaging-Pathologic Correlation

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is useful not only for preoperative staging of gynecologic malignancies but also for prediction of the histopathologic features of a variety of intrapelvic tumors. Familiarity with the specific imaging findings that have been reported for the uterine cervix is a goal of radiologists. The typical MR imaging findings of uterine cervical lesions correspond to the histopathologic features. These lesions can be categorized as epithelial neoplasms, nonepithelial neoplasms, and nonneoplastic diseases. Cervical carcinoma accounts for most cases of malignant lesions and is staged by using the classification system established by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. MR imaging allows differentiation between endophytic and exophytic growth and between normal and abnormal findings after hysterectomy and irradiation. Other epithelial neoplasms of the uterine cervix include adenoma malignum, which is a special type of cervical adenocarcinoma, as well as carcinoid tumor and malignant melanoma. Nonepithelial neoplasms of the uterine cervix include malignant lymphoma and leiomyoma. Nonneoplastic diseases of the uterine cervix include cervical pregnancy, cervicitis, nabothian cysts, polyps, and endometriosis.

Two cases of uterine malignant lymphoma diagnosed by needle biopsy

“…However, this method may also facilitate the diagnosis of uterine ML, as we can investigate the immune phenotype of tumor cells by immunohistochemical staining. MRI is an important tool in the detection of ML, with the ability to identify tumors with low signal intensity on T1WI and uniformly hyperintense on T2WI 15. We suspected uterine ML in one patient in this study on the basis of MRI analyses and sIL‐2R levels.…”

Thursday 17th October 2013

“…Radical Surgery: Stage IA, IB1 and IIA1 2. Chemotherapy and radiation: Stages IB2, IIA2 and IIB or higher While MRI is recommended but not required for staging patients with cervical carcinoma (excluding IA), it is the best modality for identifying tumor location, tumor size (93% of cases within 5 mm), parametrial, pelvic sidewall and/or adjacent organ invasion and enlarged lymph nodes [22,23]. This is important because tumor size correlates with lymph node involvement, prognosis and patient outcome [22,24].…”

MR Imaging for Staging of Cervical Carcinoma: Update

“…Traditionally, the FIGO staging system relies on physical examination, which may be performed under anesthesia, chest radiography, intravenous urography, barium enema, colposcopy, cystoscopy, and proctoscopy (1,3). Although diagnostic imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and MR to assess the primary tumor is not mandatory in the revised FIGO staging, its use is encouraged (8).…”