The contribution of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the differential diagnosis between leiomyoma typical, atypical and uterine sarcomas: Personal experience

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluate the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the differential diagnosis between degenerated leiomyomas, cellular leiomyomas and uterine sarcomas. Materials and methods:From February 2015 to August 2015, 42 patients were enrolled, aged between 18 and 75 years, suffering from uterine "mass" waiting for surgery and considered at risk and/or uncertain clinical and laboratory investigations and imaging. These patients were submitted to MRI exam of the pelvis that was performed by morphological study, DWI sequences and dynamic sequences post-contrastographic. Results:The analysis of MRI images of the 42 patients made possible to do a diagnosis of uterine sarcomas in 8 patients with the aid of sequences weighted in diffusion and dynamic, proving a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 88%. Conclusions:Based on our experience, we may consider that by morphological study with DWI sequences weighted in diffusion and dynamic post-contrastographic sequences, the MRI is a working aid in the differential diagnosis between degenerated leiomyomas and uterine sarcomas.

The Utility of Diffusion Weighted Imaging and Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI Techniques in Differentiation Between Benign and Malignant Uterine Masses

“…Shimada et al [22] in a study included 30 patients with uterine myomas found the degree of hyalinization inversely proportionate to the degree of enhanacement and intra-tumoral vessel density. Our results are approximate to those of Tamburrini et al [41], who reported type III curve in all 8 malignant uterine sarcomas included in their study and reported four cases (of thirty four myomas) with benign myomas.…”