MRI in pelvic inflammatory disease: a pictorial review

Ferenc Czeyda-Pommersheim, Bobby Kalb, James Costello, Joy Liau, Arash Meshksar, Hina Arif Tiwari, Diego Martin

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an ascending infection of the female genital tract caused by the spread of bacteria from the vagina to the pelvic reproductive organs and occasionally the peritoneum. The most common causative organisms are sexually transmitted. PID is a significant source of morbidity among reproductive age women both as a cause of abdominal pain and as a common cause of infertility. Its clinical presentation is often nonspecific, and the correct diagnosis may first come to light based on the results of imaging studies. MRI is well suited for the evaluation of PID and its complications due to its superior soft tissue contrast and high sensitivity for inflammation. MRI findings in acute PID include cervicitis, endometritis, salpingitis/oophoritis, and inflammation in the pelvic soft tissues. Acute complications include pyosalpinx, tuboovarian abscess, peritonitis, and perihepatitis. Hydrosalpinx, pelvic inclusion cysts and ureteral obstruction may develop as chronic sequela of PID. The pathophysiology, classification, treatment, and prognosis of PID are reviewed, followed by case examples of the appearance of acute and subclinical PID on MR images.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)935-950
Number of pages16
JournalAbdominal Radiology
Volume42
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2017

Keywords

  • Endometritis
  • Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Salpingitis
  • Tuboovarian abscess

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Gastroenterology
  • Urology

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