MRI PELVIS
An MRI scan uses magnets and radio waves to capture images inside your body without making a surgical incision. The scan allows your doctor to see the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles and organs, without your bones obstructing the view. A pelvic MRI scan specifically helps your doctor to see the bones, organs, blood vessels, and other tissues in your pelvic region — the area between your hips that holds your reproductive organs, as well as numerous critical muscles. This helps your doctor inspect potential problems found in other imaging tests, such as X-rays. They also use pelvic MRI scans to diagnose unexplained hip pain, investigate the spread of certain cancers, or better understand the conditions causing your symptoms. An MRI doesn’t use radiation, unlike X-rays and CT scans, so it’s considered a safer alternative, especially for pregnant women or young children. Since your pelvic area holds your reproductive organs, your doctor may order the test for different reasons depending on if you’re male or female. A pelvic MRI scan is a useful test for both sexes if you have:
- birth defects
- injury or trauma in the pelvic area
- abnormal X-ray results
- pain in the lower abdominal or pelvic region
- unexplained difficulties urinating or defecating
- cancer (or suspected cancer) in your reproductive organs, bladder, rectum, or urinary tract
For women, your doctor may order a pelvic MRI to further investigate:
- infertility
- irregular vaginal bleeding
- lumps or masses in your pelvic area (such as uterine fibroids)
- unexplained pain in your lower belly or pelvic area
For men, a pelvic MRI might look into conditions such as:
- an undescended testicle
- lumps in the scrotum or testicles, or swelling in that area
Preparation for MRI Pelvis
In some cases, you will need to clear your bowels prior to the exam. This may require you to use laxatives or enemas. You also may need to fast for four to six hours before the exam. Women may need to have full bladders for this exam, depending on the purpose of their exam. The MRI technician should be informed if you have any inner ear implants, artificial joints, a defibrillator or pacemaker, particular types of heart valves, vascular stents, brain aneurysm clips. The staff will ask you to remove anything that contains metal, including jewelry, sunglasses or any electronic gadgets. All these interfere with the MRI machine’s ability to produce a clear image. Braces and dental fillings will typically not pose a problem, but pens, pins, and certain dental appliances can interfere. In the case of implants and pacemakers, those items can stop working properly due to an MRI’s magnetic field. You will be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing that doesn’t contain metal fasteners. Lastly if you’re pregnant, kindly inform the staff and the scan may be postponed if not emergency in nature.
Procedure for MRI Pelvis
You will lie on your back on the table that slides into the machine. The technician may place small coils around your pelvic region to improve the quality of the scan images. You may receive a pillow or blanket to make you more comfortable as you lay on the bench. The technician will control the movement of the bench using a remote control from another room. They’ll be able communicate with you over a microphone. As the machine takes pictures, the technician will ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds. A typical pelvic MRI lasts 30 to 60 minutes. You may receive a contrast solution, usually Gadolinium, intravenously to allow the MRI machine to see certain parts of the cervical spine more easily, particularly your blood vessels. The scanning will be loud in nature and these banging noises are normal with the machine. There is no need of worrying or fear. You can also ask for ear plug if noise is more than bearable limits. There are no risks associated with the MRI itself. There is a very slight chance that you will have an allergic reaction to a contrast solution. Tell the medical staff if you have decreased kidney function; it may not be safe to use contrast solution if this is the case. Once the images are produced, A radiologist will analyze your MRI images and your results will be available
