Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Emergencies

Khyati Bidani; Ramandeep Singh; Garima Chandra; Rubal Rai; Ajay Kumar Singh

doi:10.1016/j.mric.2022.03.005

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Emergencies

Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2022 Aug;30(3):501-513. doi: 10.1016/j.mric.2022.03.005.

Authors

Khyati Bidani¹, Ramandeep Singh², Garima Chandra¹, Rubal Rai¹, Ajay Kumar Singh³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
² Department of Emergency Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
³ Department of Emergency Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: asingh1@mgh.harvard.edu.

PMID: 35995476
DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2022.03.005

Abstract

While computed tomography (CT) offers faster cross-sectional imaging in the emergency department, owing to its concerns for higher radiation exposure, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications in acute settings are increasingly validated. A significant proportion of patients present to the emergency department with abdominopelvic symptoms, most commonly acute abdominal pain. Early detection with imaging and timely intervention can significantly decrease morbidity and mortality in conditions such as acute pancreatitis or ovarian torsion. MRI encompasses better soft-tissue resolution, nonusage of ionizing radiation and iodinated contrast media, nonoperator dependency, and higher reproducibility. This review discusses the MRI protocols and applications in abdominopelvic emergencies.

Keywords: Abdominal pain; Emergency department; MRI; Radiation exposure.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Acute Disease
Emergencies
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging* / methods
Pancreatitis*
Reproducibility of Results