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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Radiol Imaging 2021; 31(02): 454-467
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1734377
Pictorial Essay

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Uterine Cervix: A Pictorial Essay

Foram B. Gala
1   Department of Radiology, Lifescan Imaging Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
2   Department of Radiology, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
,
Kunal B. Gala
3   Department of Radiology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
,
Bharat M. Gala
1   Department of Radiology, Lifescan Imaging Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Abstract

Uterine cervix is the lower constricted part of uterus which is best evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to its higher soft tissue and contrast resolution. The cervical cancer is a common gynecological cancer causing much morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. Cervical carcinomas mainly occurs in reproductive age group with prognosis mainly depending on the extent of disease at the time of diagnosis, hence it is important to identify these cancerous lesions early and stage them accurately for optimal treatment. In this article, we will review the following: (1) the normal MRI anatomy of uterine cervix; (2) MRI protocol and techniques in evaluation of cervical lesions; (3) imaging of spectrum of various congenital abnormalities and pathologies affecting uterine cervix which ranges from congenital abnormalities to various benign lesions of cervix like nabothian cysts, tunnel cysts, cervicitis, cervical fibroid, and, lastly, endometriosis which usually coexists with adenomyosis; the malignant lesions include carcinoma cervix, adenoma malignum or direct extension from carcinoma endometrium or from carcinoma of vagina; (4) Accurately stage carcinoma of cervix using FIGO classification (2018); and (5) posttreatment evaluation of cervical cancers. MRI is the most reliable imaging modality in evaluation of various cervical lesions, identification of cervical tumors, staging of the cervical malignancy, and stratifying patients for surgery and radiation therapy. It also plays an important role in detection of local disease recurrence.

Keywords

cervical lesions - cervical cancer - MRI of cervix


Publication History

Article published online:
04 August 2021

© 2021. Indian Radiological Association. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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