Objective: To evaluate the indications for performing magnetic resonance imaging of the female pelvis at a referral center for cancer.
Materials and methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study, conducted by reviewing medical records and imaging reports. We included 1060 female patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis at a cancer center between January 2013 and June 2014. The indications for performing the examination were classified according to the American College of Radiology (ACR) criteria.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 52.6 ± 14.8 years, and 49.8% were perimenopausal or postmenopausal. The majority (63.9%) had a history of cancer, which was gynecologic in 29.5% and nongynecologic in 34.4%. Of the patients evaluated, 44.0% had clinical complaints, the most common being pelvic pain (in 11.5%) and bleeding (in 9.8%), and 34.7% of patients had previously had abnormal findings on ultrasound. Most (76.7%) of the patients met the criteria for undergoing magnetic resonance imaging, according to the ACR guidelines. The main indications were evaluation of tumor recurrence after surgical resection (in 25.9%); detection and staging of gynecologic neoplasms (in 23.3%); and evaluation of pelvic pain or of a mass (in 17.1%).
Conclusion: In the majority of the cases evaluated, magnetic resonance imaging was clearly indicated according to the ACR criteria. The main indication was local recurrence after surgical treatment of pelvic malignancies, which is consistent with the routine protocols at cancer centers.
Objetivo: Comparar as indicações de ressonância magnética da pelve feminina num centro de referência oncológico.
Materiais e métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, unicêntrico, realizado por revisão de prontuários e laudos de exames de imagem. Foram incluídas 1060 pacientes que realizaram ressonância magnética da pelve, de janeiro de 2013 a junho de 2014, num centro oncológico. As indicações dos exames foram classificadas segundo os critérios do American College of Radiology (ACR).
Resultados: A idade média das pacientes foi 52,6 ± 14,8 anos, com 49,8% na perimenopausa ou pós-menopausa. A maioria (63,9%) apresentava antecedente de câncer, sendo 29,5% ginecológicos e 34,4% não ginecológicos. Das pacientes com queixa clínica (44%), os sintomas mais relatados foram dor pélvica (11,5%) e sangramento (9,8%). Em 34,7% das pacientes havia alteração ultrassonográfica prévia. A maioria das pacientes (76,7%) apresentou indicação adequada para o exame, segundo os critérios do ACR. As principais indicações foram: avaliação da recorrência tumoral após ressecção (25,9%), detecção e estadiamento de neoplasias ginecológicas (23,3%) e avaliação de dor ou massa pélvica (17,1%).
Conclusão: A maioria dos exames avaliados apresentou indicação adequada segundo os critérios do ACR. A principal indicação foi a pesquisa de recidiva local após tratamento cirúrgico de neoplasias pélvicas, compatível com a rotina num centro oncológico.
Keywords: Female pelvis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Oncology.