[Magnetic resonance of the male pelvis]

Abstract

Objective: To review the usage of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of the male pelvis.

Methods: The applications of MRI in male pelvis pathology are reviewed.

Results/conclusion: MRI has been demonstrated to be a useful diagnostic imaging technique in male pelvis pathology. It has been used mainly to evaluate the prostate, particularly for preoperative staging. MRI can depict tumor invasion of the capsule, periprostatic plexus, seminal vesicles, bladder, rectum and pelvic lymph nodes. Its main objective is to differentiate stages T1 and T2 of advanced disease. The endorectal coil enhances image resolution and diagnosis of extracapsular disease is more precise. MRI can also distinguish scar tissue from regional recurrence in patients submitted to radical prostatectomy. This imaging technique has also been used to assess benign lesions of the prostate and seminal vesicles; e.g., prostatic cysts, focal nodular hyperplasia, and amyloidosis of the bladder. Although ultrasound continues to be the primary noninvasive diagnostic method in the evaluation of scrotal pathology, MRI provides valuable diagnostic information in certain conditions; e.g., testicular tumors, inflammatory processes, testicular torsion and trauma.