MRI characteristics of the uterine junctional zone: from normal to the diagnosis of adenomyosis

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2011 May;196(5):1206-13. doi: 10.2214/AJR.10.4877.

Abstract

Objective: MRI was the first imaging technique to permit the visualization of the uterine junctional zone and remains the imaging method of choice to evaluate it and its associated pathology.

Conclusion: Adenomyosis can be diagnosed using MRI with a diagnostic accuracy of 85%. The most important MR finding in making the diagnosis is thickness of the junctional zone exceeding 12 mm. The principal limitation of MRI is the absence of a definable junctional zone on imaging, which occurs in 20% of premenopausal women.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Endometriosis / diagnosis*
  • Endometriosis / physiopathology
  • Endometrium / diagnostic imaging*
  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Endometrium / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Menopause / physiology
  • Menstrual Cycle / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Myometrium / diagnostic imaging*
  • Myometrium / pathology
  • Myometrium / physiopathology
  • Radiography
  • Uterine Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Uterine Diseases / physiopathology