ABSTRACT
Patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis for presumed musculoskeletal
disease are commonly found to have abnormal imaging findings in the incidentally imaged
pelvic viscera. Such incidental findings can be problematic for the musculoskeletal
imager, both in terms of assigning clinical significance and determining the appropriate
workup for a given abnormality. In this article we discuss the normal MRI appearance
of the various pelvic organ systems as well as normal variants, emphasizing those
that can mimic pathological processes. We then discuss the MRI appearance of common
pathological entities encountered in these organ systems and the key imaging findings
that should warrant a recommendation for further radiologic and/or clinical evaluation.
KEYWORDS
Magnetic resonance imaging - pelvis - incidental - musculoskeletal
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David D ChildsM.D.
Department of Radiology, Section of Abdominal Imaging, Wake Forest University School
of Medicine
Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157
eMail: dchilds@wfubmc.edu
