Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Division
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Division
provides a full range of diagnostic magnetic
resonance imaging services. The radiologists
and staff within the MRI Division perform state-of-the-art
MR scanning on all parts of the chest, abdomen
and pelvis.
At the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania,
our
imaging services are performed on high-field
Siemens MRI systems, designed to increase
patient comfort and accessibility.
Some types of MR studies available to patients
include:
Adrenal Gland Imaging
All of our MR systems are capable of performing
“chemical shift” imaging that distinguishes
malignant from benign adrenal masses. Some patients
may have a tumor of the adrenal gland that results
in high blood pressure. MR can detect and characterize
such masses and suggest which lesions are amenable
to surgical therapy.
Bladder Imaging
Men with bladder
cancer can be treated by tumor
removal through a cystoscope or by partially or
completely removing the bladder. MR can evaluate
bladder tumors for:
- size and location of the tumor
- presence or absence of the tumor into or
beyond the bladder wall
- presence of tumor spreading to other sites
Breast MRI – See Breast
Imaging Division
Cardiovascular Imaging – See Cardiovascular
Imaging Division
Cervical Cancer
A PAP smear initially diagnoses women with cervical
cancer. MR can provide information about the extent
of the cervical tumor to determine whether surgical
treatment or radiation therapy is best. MR can
provide information such as:
- size and location of the cervical tumor.
- presence or absence of tumor spread into
or beyond the cervical margins.
- presence of tumor spread to surrounding lymph
nodes or ureter
Colon Imaging
Screening examinations of the colon are best achieved
through barium
enema or CT colonography. MR is
ideal for evaluating potential fistula tracts
of the distal colon, rectum or anus which occur
in various conditions including inflammatory bowel
disease.
Kidney Imaging
Kidney MR applications that may characterize renal
masses include:
- diagnosis and staging of renal neoplasms.
- characterization of renal cysts (i.e., lesions
that can be followed vs. cysts which need sampling
and/or removal).
Liver Imaging
MR is considered the most accurate imaging method
for liver evaluation. Applications include:
- evaluation of cirrhosis and its complications
(e.g., ascites, varices and liver cancer).
- detect and characterize hepatic steatosis
(fatty liver) or hemochromotosis (iron overload
of the liver).
- detect and characterize focal liver masses
and determine which lesions can be followed
from the lesions that require therapy
Orthopedic Imaging – See Muskuloskeletal
Division
Ovarian Imaging
MR imaging of the ovaries is often performed after
an ultrasound cannot identify an ovary or characterize
and ovarian lesion. MR can detect and characterize
many types of ovarian pathology that can be treated
conservatively or with laparoscopy including:
- chocolate cysts of endometriosis.
- ovarian dermoid cysts.
- corpus luteum cysts.
- benign fibrous or smooth muscle tumors of
the ovary.
Sometimes a uterine
fibroid can be located next
to an ovary and mimic an ovarian mass. MR can
often characterize the mass as benign and uterine
in origin and identify a normal adjacent ovary.
In women with suspected or known ovarian
cancer,
MR can document the location and extent of tumor
prior to surgery. In women who have already had
surgery and/or chemotherapy, MR can evaluate the
abdomen and pelvis to document the success of
therapy.
Pancreatic Imaging
Many diseases of the pancreas result in blockages
of the pancreatic duct which can be shown through
magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
methods. MRCP is a non-invasive technique that
visualizes the bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreatic
ducts without the use of an endoscope or sedation.
All of our magnets are capable of this technique.
Applications of pancreatic MRCP include:
- evaluating the bile ducts to exclude potential
causes of obstruction (gallstone or mass).
- detecting and characterizing the severity
of pancreatitis and checking for complications.
- staging suspected or known pancreatic tumors.
- identifying pancreatic cysts and cystic neoplasms
and determining which lesions can be watched
and which need tissue sampling
Prostate Imaging
Most MR studies of the prostate are performed
on men who have documented prostate
cancer. MR
can stage a known cancer that may help determine
optimal therapies. An MR of the prostate includes:
- size and location of a prostate tumor.
- volume of the entire prostate gland.
- presence or absence of tumor spread beyond
the prostate.
- presence of tumor spread to surrounding lymph
nodes or bones
Testicular Imaging
Ultrasound is often the first imaging test conducted
on the testes and scrotum. MR is an option to
further an equivocal or indeterminate ultrasound
finding.
Uterine Imaging
Most imaging of the uterus involves the evolution
of an enlarged uterus or evaluation of a uterine
cause of pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding. Uterine
fibroids are a common cause of pelvic pain and
bleeding. MR can detect, localize and characterize
fibroid tumors of the uterus and determine which
therapies may provide the best results.
Adenomyosis is another condition of the uterus
that may result in similar signs and symptoms
as fibroids. Adenomyosis occurs when endometrial
glands of the uterus grow into the muscle portion
(myometrium) or the uterus. MR can detect and
characterize the severity of adenomyosis.
Division Chief
Evan
S. Siegelman, MD
Addresses
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Division
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
First Floor Silverstein Pavilion
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Ground Floor Dulles Building
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
3 Donner
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Penn Tower, Bridge Level
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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