How should I prepare for Pelvic MRI?

Before your MRI, you will need to change into a gown and should leave any jewelry or metal objects at home. Unless given special instructions, you can follow your normal diet and medication routine, though some exams may require fasting, which your scheduler will communicate. Inform your technologist about any illnesses, allergies, or medications, and discuss sedation if you experience anxiety or claustrophobia; also review guidelines if you have metal implants, as an X-ray may be needed to check for internal metal.

Pelvic MRI

Q: When is Pelvic MRI recommended?

Pelvic MRI is used to assess symptoms or illnesses related to pelvic structures, such as cancers of the bladder, female reproductive organs, and prostate, as well as conditions like colon cancer and endometriosis. It helps determine the extent of disease, identify causes of pelvic pain, and guide treatment planning. Pelvic MRI is also commonly recommended before surgery, radiation therapy, or biopsy in the pelvic area.

Q: What are the benefits and risks of Pelvic MRI?

Pelvic MRI is a noninvasive, painless scan that provides highly detailed images of bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels without exposing patients to ionizing radiation, often helping to avoid exploratory surgery. It is effective in diagnosing and evaluating cancers and other pelvic disorders. While generally safe, there are rare risks including complications with implanted medical devices, allergic reactions to contrast agents, and potential concerns for patients with kidney issues or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, who should consult their physician.

Visualizing the organs and structures
of the pelvis.

SCHEDULE ONLINE

Home > Exams & Services > Magnetic Resonance Imaging > Pelvic MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis is a special scan that uses a strong magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to generate images of the pelvis. The pelvis is the area of the human body that contains the pelvic bones, urinary bladder, female and male reproductive organs, and parts of the large intestine (colon). Pelvic MRI can be used to evaluate problems in the pelvic area such as cancers, infection, anatomic abnormalities, and other disorders.

In some cases, your doctor may order pelvic MRI with intravenous (IV) contrast. This allows for better visualization of blood vessels and other structures. Please refer to the About Contrast section for more details.

When is pelvic MRI recommended?

Pelvic MRI is used when you have symptoms or illness associated with the structures within the pelvis. Some examples include:

Evaluating cancers in the bladder and female sex organs (vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries)
Detecting the extent of disease, such as colon cancer, and determining if it has spread to other organs
Identifying causes of pelvic pain
In women, diagnosing endometriosis, a disorder where cells resembling those that line the uterus grow abnormally outside of the uterus
Determining the extent of prostate disease or cancer in men

Pelvic MRI may also be recommended when planning for pelvic surgery, radiation therapy, or biopsy.

What are the benefits and risks of pelvic MRI?

Benefits

Pelvic MRI scan is noninvasive and painless.
In a single scan, pelvic MRI can evaluate bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels.
MRI scan does not expose you to any ionizing radiation.
An MRI exam may help you avoid exploratory surgery.
MRI provides highly detailed images of pelvic structures and can assist in the diagnosis and evaluation of cancers and other disorders in the pelvic area.

Risks

Any medical devices implanted into your body may be at risk of malfunction due to the strong magnetic field. See Can I have an MRI if I have metal in my body?
In very rare cases, in patients with poor kidney function, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a possible complication when contrast is used. Please refer to the About MRI Contrast section for more details.
Gadolinium-based contrast has a very slight risk of causing an allergic reaction which can usually be easily treated.
Pregnant women should consult with their physician prior to an MRI exam. However, there have been no documented negative effects of MRI in the many years of its medical usage, and MRI is often the method of imaging chosen for pregnant women and fetuses. It should be noted that MRI contrast agents are not recommended to be used during pregnancy unless the benefits far outweigh the risks.
The ACR states that current information suggests breastfeeding is safe after the use of intravenous contrast. Please discuss your breastfeeding options with your medical provider.

What should I expect?

Pelvic MRI is provided in multiple ARA imaging centers and takes a total of about 30 minutes.
You will be asked to change into a gown. You will be required to remove all metal objects from your body.
You’ll be placed on a moveable exam table which may have straps or bolsters to help keep your body from moving.
If your study requires contrast, your technologist will place an intravenous (IV) line into your arm or hand to administer the contrast. IV placement may be uncomfortable and may cause bruising later but for most this is not the case. A saline solution drip may be used to help keep the IV line open.
The technologist will leave the MRI room where you are and conduct the exam from a computer in a control room. You will be able to speak with the technologist at all times. The technologist has direct visualization of you and the room. They will keep you informed of what is happening as your exam progresses.
When the procedure begins, the table moves you into the magnet, which is a cylinder-shaped machine.
MRI scanners are constructed with short tunnels that are open on both ends. Most people do not find this to be uncomfortable, but if you are anxious, please mention this to your scheduler. ARA may be able to schedule your exam on one of our open-bore or short-bore MRI scanners or plan for you to have light sedation. ARA technologists and our clinical staff are experts at helping people through MRI exams with minimum anxiety.
During the exam you might feel warmth in the body part being examined. If this becomes uncomfortable, let your technologist know.
When the images are being taken, you will hear loud knocking, tapping or thumping sounds. Earplugs or headphones with music are provided before the test begins.
In rare cases, some patients experience side effects from the contrast material, such as nausea or headache. If you experience any discomfort, let the technologist know.

How should I prepare?

You will be required to change into a gown. If possible, leave all jewelry and metal objects at home.
Unless you are told otherwise, you may follow your normal diet and routine before the exam. You should take all your medications as usual.
Some MRI exams require a prep which may include no food or drink for a specified time before the exam. Your scheduler will inform you of preparations if needed. If you are not given special instructions, you may follow your normal diet and routine before the exam.
Ask your doctor for specific directions about your daily medications if you have been asked to refrain from taking them.
Be sure to tell your technologist about any illness or allergies you may have. Also, provide a list of your current medications.
If you suffer from claustrophobia, panic attacks, or anxiety, you might choose to receive sedation before the exam. Please mention this to your scheduler when making your appointment.
Before you schedule an MRI, refer to the section Can I have an MRI if I have metal in my body? to get more information about metal devices, implants or any other metal that might be affected by the magnet.
In some cases, an X-ray may be taken before the MRI to detect any metal that could be located inside your body.

How do I schedule?

To schedule a pelvic MRI, please use our online scheduling tool in the Patient Portal or you may call our scheduling team at (512) 453-6100 or toll free at (800) 998-8214. A referral from your healthcare provider is required to make an appointment.

How do I get my results?

A radiologist, a physician specifically trained to interpret radiological examinations, will analyze the images and send a signed report to the provider who referred you to ARA. The physician will then share the results with you.