MRI of Adenomyosis: Where Are We Today?

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Direct and indirect MRI features allow for accurate non-invasive diagnosis of adenomyosis, which presents with variable phenotypes that can correlate with pathogenesis and clinical outcomes, though standardized reporting is needed.

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This paper is a narrative review that examines how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to diagnose uterine adenomyosis, including how proposed MRI classifications could be integrated with clinical symptoms and histological findings. It reports that direct and indirect MRI features enable non-invasive diagnosis and that MRI phenotypes appear variable, potentially reflecting different pathogeneses, clinical presentations, and outcomes, while also helping assess the extent of disease and evaluate for concomitant gynecologic conditions. The review highlights major caveats, especially that heterogeneous and sometimes conflicting literature results from a lack of standardized criteria for reporting and terminology. Relevance to endometriosis: adenomyosis is closely linked as a related cause of chronic pelvic pain within the review’s broader framing of MRI’s role in uterine disorders, though the paper focuses on adenomyosis rather than endometriosis specifically. This paper is centrally about adenomyosis — it reviews the current role, advances, pitfalls, and need for standardized MRI reporting and classification in diagnosing uterine adenomyosis.

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Abstract

Purpose of Review The purpose of this review is to (i) summarize the current literature regarding the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing adenomyosis, (ii) examine how to integrate MRI phenotypes with clinical symptomatology and histological findings, (iii) review recent advances including proposed MRI classifications, (iv) discuss challenges and pitfalls of diagnosing adenomyosis, and (v) outline the future role of MRI in promoting a better understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with uterine adenomyosis. Recent Findings Recent advances and the widespread use of MRI have provided new insights into adenomyosis and the range of imaging phenotypes encountered in this disorder. Summary Direct and indirect MRI features allow for accurate non-invasive diagnosis of adenomyosis. Adenomyosis is a complex and poorly understood disorder with variable MRI phenotypes that may be correlated with different pathogeneses, clinical presentations, and patient outcomes. MRI is useful for the assessment of the extent of findings, to evaluate for concomitant gynecological conditions, and potentially can help with the selection and implementation of therapeutic options. Nevertheless, important gaps in knowledge remain. This is in part due to the lack of standardized criteria for reporting resulting in heterogeneous and conflicting data in the literature. Thus, there is an urgent need for a unified MRI reporting system incorporating standardized terminology for diagnosing adenomyosis and defining the various phenotypes. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Munro reports grants and personal fees from AbbVie Inc. and personal fees from Myovant Inc., outside the submitted work. The other authors declare no conflict of interest. Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors. Consent for Publication Editor’s Note: This article is being published concurrently in The Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal. The articles are identical except for minor stylistic and spelling changes in keeping with each journal’s style. Additional information Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This article is part of Topical Collection on Uterine Fibroids and Endometrial Lesions Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Zhang, M., Bazot, M., Tsatoumas, M. et al. MRI of Adenomyosis: Where Are We Today?. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep 11, 225–237 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-022-00342-7 Accepted: Published: Version of record: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-022-00342-7

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