Conditions our MRI scans have found
Ovarian endometrioma
An ovarian endometrioma is a non-cancerous cystic mass within the ovary. It contains thick, brown, tar-like fluid (old blood) which may be referred to as a "chocolate cyst." The exact cause of the cyst is unknown and affects approximately 5–10% of women of reproductive age in the United States. Symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), dyspareunia (pain with sexual intercourse) and/or infertility. The goals of endometrioma treatment are to relieve symptoms, prevent complications related to the ovarian mass (i.e. rupture or torsion), exclude malignancy, improve subfertility (delay in conceiving), and preserve ovarian function.
Ovarian lesions
Ovarian lesions are common findings and may be incidentally detected on imaging (found in passing when looking for something else). Ovarian lesions may be benign (non-cancerous), borderline, or malignant (cancerous). Characterization of ovarian lesions is of great importance in order to plan adequate therapeutic procedures, and may influence management. Assessment of ovarian lesions or masses requires physical examination, laboratory tests and imaging techniques.
Osteochondroma within the pelvic bone
Osteochondromas are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that develop on the surface of a bone near the growth plate during childhood or adolescence. Most often, osteochondromas affect the long bones in the pelvis, the leg, or the shoulder blade. There is a small lifetime risk of malignant (cancerous) transformation to chondrosarcoma, which occurs during adulthood and most commonly in individuals with hereditary multiple osteochondromas (about 5 percent of cases). Symptoms vary depending on the anatomic site, extent, and distribution of involvement, but can include pain and numbness. Most osteochondromas are asymptomatic (do not cause symptoms) unless a fracture is present or impending.
Nonvisualized testicle / Postpubertal cryptorchidism
Sometimes a testicle is not seen in adults on imaging - a condition called postpubertal cryptorchidism. This could be due to the testicle not forming prior to birth (congenital) or because the testicle never descended into the scrotum and slowly shrank in size (atrophied). Postpubertal cryptorchidism is associated with lower fertility, impaired hormone function and an increased risk of testicular cancer.
Ovarian teratoma
An ovarian teratoma is a benign congenital germ cell tumour. Teratomas contain elements from all three embryological layers: endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. They contain different tissue types, including, fat, cystic fluid, skin, soft tissues, hair and sometimes calcification including teeth.
Oophorectomy
The ovary was not seen on the MRI images which is consistent with a history of surgical removal of the ovary (oophorectomy).

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Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately at this time, we are unable to scan people with pacemakers. There is a risk that the MRI magnetic fields will disrupt its operation, and we don't want that.
There are many different types of implants. We will need to know more about what you have. The good news is that almost all implants are MRI-safe. There is a chance the implant will affect the images we can get from the surrounding tissues.
Yes. Almost all IUDs are MRI-safe. Regardless, we check the MRI safety of all devices. Common MRI-safe IUDs are the Mirena and the Copper T.
Yes you can. There will be extra precautions we will take to ensure your safety while in the machine, so please inform staff before entering the MRI.
Yes. This is completely safe.


