Mri of the pelvis

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of the organs and structures inside the body. An MRI of the pelvis can give the doctor information about a woman's uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. The scan is sometimes used to check a man's prostate and seminal vesicles. It also can check the rectum and anal area.

When you have an MRI, you lie on a table and the table moves into the MRI machine.

An MRI of the pelvis can help find problems such as tumors in the ovaries, uterus, prostate, rectum, and anus. It also can be used to look for an anal fistula (a tube-shaped passage from the anal canal to a hole in the skin near the anus) and look for the cause of pelvic pain in women, such as endometriosis.

• You may have contrast material (dye) put into your arm through a tube called an I.V.
• You will lie on a table that's part of the MRI scanner.
• The table will slide into the space that contains the magnet.
• Inside the scanner, you will hear a fan and feel air moving. You may hear tapping, thumping, or snapping noises. You may be given earplugs or headphones to reduce the noise.
• You will be asked to hold still during the scan. You may be asked to hold your breath for short periods.
• You may be alone in the scanning room. But a technologist will watch through a window and talk with you during the test.

In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to.

Tell your doctor if you get nervous in tight spaces. You may get a medicine to help you relax. If you think you'll get this medicine, be sure you have someone to take you home.

For some pelvic MRI tests, you may be asked to not eat or drink for several hours before the test.