MRI in female pelvis: an ESUR/ESR survey

Abstract

Objectives While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard for the imaging of female pelvis, there is an ongoing debate about the most appropriate indications and optimal imaging protocols. The European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) launched a survey to evaluate the current utilization of female pelvic MRI in clinical practice. Methods The ESUR female imaging subgroup developed an online survey that was then approved by the ESR board and circulated among the ESR members. The questions in the survey encompassed training and experience, indications for imaging and MR imaging protocols, reporting styles and preferences. The results of the survey were tabulated, and subgroups were compared using χ2 test. Results A total of 5900 ESR members with an interest in both MRI and female pelvic imaging were invited to participate; 840 (14.23%) members completed the survey. Approximately 50% of respondents were academic radiologists (50.6%) and nearly 60% women (59.69%). One third of the respondents were subspecialized in Gynecological imaging. Nearly half of the survey participants were aware of the presence of ESUR guidelines for imaging of the female pelvis (47.1%). The adoption of the ESUR recommendations was higher among subspecialized and/or academic and/or senior and/or European radiologists compared to all others. The current ESUR recommendations about female pelvic MRI protocols were generally followed. However wide variations in practice were identified with respect to the use of contrast media. Conclusion Female pelvic MRI protocol was generally following the ESUR recommendations, especially among subspecialized and academic radiologists. However, the fact that they are followed by only half of the participants highlights the need for wider awareness of these recommendations.

Dissemination of endometrial cancer MRI staging guidelines among young radiologists: an ESUR Junior Network survey

“…The results of this survey suggest that the degree of dissemination of EC-ESUR guidelines is lower than desirable among young radiologists. While in line with the findings of a 2019 survey on female imaging ESUR guidelines, the present evidence deepens our understanding of the issue [ 8 ]. Indeed, the present study was targeted on a very narrow window in the professional life of radiologists, showing that a major cause of the low adoption of EC-ESUR guidelines is their heterogeneous inclusion as teaching material in radiology residency programs.…”

“…The European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) released an updated version of the endometrial cancer MRI staging guidelines (EC-ESUR guidelines) in mid-2018 [ 7 ]. Recently, the results of a 2019 survey have been published, suggesting that the use of ESUR guidelines on female pelvis MRI is less common among young radiologists compared to senior ones [ 8 ]. In this light, the main purpose of our study was to assess the dissemination extent of EC-ESUR guidelines as well as to explore their potential and perceived educational value among last year radiology trainees and young radiologists.…”

Performance of MRI for Detection of ≥pT1b Disease in Local Staging of Endometrial Cancer

“…In the clinical practice guidelines of the Society of Gynaecologic Oncology [ 28 ], MRI is not recommended for local invasiveness but is only mentioned as an alternative imaging technique to CT or PET-CT for the identification of metastatic lymph nodes or distant metastasis. In clinical practice, the use of MRI for staging EC appears to be limited, according to two recently published papers based on online surveys completed by expert radiologists and radiology residents [ 29 , 30 ]. In the meta-analyses of Bi et al [ 16 ] and Alcazar et al [ 26 ], both evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in local staging of EC, only 14 and 8 studies, respectively, could be included, again indicating a rather low use of MRI for the staging of EC worldwide.…”

Radiomics in Gynaecological Imaging: A State-of-the-Art Review

“…When setting up a radiomics study, imaging protocol(s) must be well delineated (e.g., contrast media administration, timing of dynamic sequences, mandatory and optional MRI sequences). Data regarding CT and MRI protocols for the study of the female pelvis have been comprehensively detailed in the literature [9,10].…”