Utility of intravaginal ultrasound gel for local staging of cervical carcinoma on MRI

Our clinical experience in pelvic magnetic resonance imaging with vaginal contrast

“…In recent studies, the use of luminal contrast material in pelvic region MRI has been employed in cervical cancer staging, vaginal cancer, endometriosis patients, and distal rectal cancer staging [1,4,6,7].…”

“…Parametrial invasion causes the patient to lose the chance of surgery. Studies have shown that parametrial invasion is evaluated better with vaginal opacification [1,4]. The tumour stage may appear higher in MRI due to oedema, inflammation, or compression [13].…”

“…These materials also provide high signal intensity in T2-weighted sequences and provide more comfort to the patient than other materials [15]. In patients with pelvic cancer, as liquid material, Van Hoe et al [2] used barium, water and maltodextrin/calcium lactate mixture, Akata et al [1] used barium and saline mixture, and Young et al [3] and Atcı et al [4] used ultrasound gel. In these studies, it was determined that the use of vaginal contrast increases the diagnostic value.…”

“…They can also cause distension, deformation of surrounding structures, artifacts, and deterioration of image quality. Liquid ones such as ultrasound gel provide better imaging qualities than solid materials by providing vaginal distension without causing deformation of surrounding structures and creating hyperintensity in T2-weighted (T2W) sequences [1,4,5]. The sonographic gel is the most preferred intraluminal contrast agent due to its easy availability, well-tolerability, high viscosity, and absence of backflow during intravaginal administration [4].…”

Uterine Cervical Cancer: Emphasis on Revised FIGO Staging 2018 and MRI

“…자궁경부암의 질 침윤을 평가하는 데 있어 자기공명영상의 정확도는 86%–93% 정도로 알려져 있으며 낮은 신호강도의 질벽을 높은 신호강도의 종양이 침범하는 양상으로 보인다( 21 ). 질 내강으로 돌출하는 모양의 크기가 큰 종괴는 질벽으로의 침범 여부를 평가하기 어려울 수 있는데 이때 질 내에 젤을 주입함으로써 질벽과 종괴 사이의 경계를 확인하는 데 도움을 줄 수 있다( 22 ).…”