RESUMO
Endometriosis is a chronic and disabling gynecological disease that affects women of reproductive age. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the cornerstone radiological technique for both the diagnosis and management of endometriosis. While MRI offers higher sensitivity compared to ultrasonography, it is prone to false-positive results, leading to decreased specificity. False-positive findings can arise from various T1-hyperintense conditions on fat-suppressed T1-weighted images, resembling endometriotic cystic lesions in different anatomical compartments. These conditions include hemorrhage, hyperproteic content, MRI artifacts, feces, or melanin. Such false positives can have significant implications for patient care, ranging from incorrect diagnoses to unnecessary medical or surgical interventions and subsequent follow-up. To address these challenges, this educational review aims to provide radiologists with comprehensive knowledge about MRI criteria, potential pitfalls, and differential diagnoses, ultimately reducing false-positive results related to T1-hyperintense abnormalities.Critical relevance statementMRI has a 10% false-positive rate, leading to misdiagnosis. T1-hyperintense lesions, observed in the three phenotypes of pelvic endometriosis, can also be seen in various other causes, mainly caused by hemorrhages, high protein concentrations, and artifacts.Key points⢠MRI in endometriosis has a 10% false-positive rate, leading to potential misdiagnosis.⢠Pelvic endometriosis lesions can exhibit T1-hyperintensity across their three phenotypes.⢠A definitive diagnosis of a T1-hyperintense endometriotic lesion is crucial for patient management.⢠Hemorrhages, high protein concentrations, lipids, and artifacts are the main sources of T1-hyperintense mimickers.
RESUMO
Endometriosis is a common crippling disease in women of reproductive age. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the cornerstone radiological technique for both the diagnosis and management of endometriosis. While its sensitivity, especially in deep infiltrating endometriosis, is superior to that of ultrasonography, many sources of false-positive results exist, leading to a lack of specificity. Hypointense lesions or pseudo-lesions on T2-weighted images include anatomical variants, fibrous connective tissues, benign and malignant tumors, feces, surgical materials, and post treatment scars which may mimic deep pelvic infiltrating endometriosis. False positives can have a major impact on patient management, from diagnosis to medical or surgical treatment. This educational review aims to help the radiologist acknowledge MRI criteria, pitfalls, and the differential diagnosis of deep pelvic infiltrating endometriosis to reduce false-positive results. Critical relevance statement MRI in deep infiltrating endometriosis has a 23% false-positive rate, leading to misdiagnosis. T2-hypointense lesions primarily result from anatomical variations, fibrous connective tissue, benign and malignant tumors, feces, surgical material, and post-treatment scars. Key points ⢠MRI in DIE has a 23% false-positive rate, leading to potential misdiagnosis.⢠Anatomical variations, fibrous connective tissues, neoplasms, and surgical alterations are the main sources of T2-hypointense mimickers.⢠Multisequence interpretation, morphologic assessment, and precise anatomic localization are crucial to prevent overdiagnosis.⢠Gadolinium injection is beneficial for assessing endometriosis differential diagnosis only in specific conditions.