Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a highly sensitive, very useful method for taking pictures of various parts of the human anatomy. It is very useful in establishing the diagnoses of various gynecologic disorders. Its major advantages include that it does not use radiation as does an x-ray and it provides a substantial degree of detail in its pictures. – Francis Hutchins, Jr., M.D.

The cost of an MRI is only slightly more expensive than CT, although typically 2-3 times as expensive as an ultrasound. – Robert Worthington-Kirsch, M.D.

Note:  The pelvic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) does not have any restrictions as the ultrasound does concerning a full bladder (sometimes the patient may be told to stop drinking/eating 4 hours before the appointment).   The patient will be asked to take off all metal objects before entering the MRI suite.  No movement or talking is allowed during the study.  The woman lies on a pelvic cushion and a belt-like device is wrapped around the abdomen/pelvic area.  Most MRI centers have music playing in the room and the patient is usually asked if they prefer a particular type of music.  The music helps the patient relax and also helps with toning down the bumping noise that the MRI machine makes during the imaging. 

An Open MRI has more room inside it, and it doesn't make the patient feel like they are in an enclosed area.   A visitor is allowed in the MRI room.  

High Focus MRI ‘tube’ (both ends of the MRI are open and two very slim lights are inside the tube).  The space inside the tube is small.  The patient's head, in most cases, will be outside the tube and the rest of the body will be inside the tube.  Please refer to Hope's High Focus MRI experience.

Sometimes a doctor will order a contrast MRI study to be performed.  This requires an injection of contrast material into a vein in the arm.  The contrast material, in most cases, does not cause any side effects. 

On the MRI images the remaining fibroid tissue appears as a black color, which represents infarcted (dead) fibroid tissue.

Photos - Hope's MRI images of the pelvis and uterine fibroids (2002).

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the images.