Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify pelvic adhesions.
Design: This was an institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis.
Methods: Ninety-nine patients met inclusion criteria and constituted our study population.
Inclusion criteria: patients who underwent MRI and subsequent gynecologic abdominal surgery within 6 months after MRI. All imaging and operative reports were reviewed for the presence of pelvic adhesions by independent and blinded specialists. The findings were compared to calculate MRI sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy in the evaluation of pelvic adhesions.
Results: The specificity of MRI in the detection of pelvic adhesions was greater than 90% in all locations with the exception of the posterior cul-de-sac. Accuracy was highest in the anterior cul-de-sac at 88%. The positive predictive value was greater than 85% for prediction of non-location-specific adhesions.
Conclusions: Magnetic resonance imaging is very specific in the evaluation of pelvic adhesions.