Internal Medicine

Clinical MRI applications according to various service lines are delineated in the links below. These pages detail each application, how to request the study, and provide references.

Resources:

In their lifetime, 1 in 6 men will be clinically diagnosed with prostate cancer. If serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) is elevated or digital rectal exam suggests a tumor, transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy will be performed to detect potential cancer, and assess its extent, volume and aggression. But the specificity of PSA is low, and TRUS biopsy underestimates the extent and grade of prostate cancer. MRI has a role in detecting and staging prostate carcinoma, and in evaluating men with a rising PSA after therapy.

MRI is an excellent modality to assess pelvic floor dysfunction.

MRI is highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of adenomyosis, deep endometriosis, endometriomas, and rectosigmoid endometriosis.

MRI can provide detailed depiction of uterine fibroids, assessing size, number, relationship to the endometrial stripe, and vascular supply.

MRI can provide detailed depiction of uterine fibroids, assessing size, number, relationship to the endometrial stripe, and vascular supply.

An MR urogram can evaluate for potential etiologies of hematuria. This exam is performed by hydrating the patient during the exam to distend the collecting system.

MRI of the abdomen and pelvis may be performed to screen for infection prior to bone marrow transplantation.

MRI may characterize solid renal masses as well as cystic lesions. For renal cell carcinoma, staging information may be obtained with MRI, as it is an excellent modality for assessing transgression of Gerota's fascia, renal vein or caval involvement, and detection of lymph nodes.