Diagnostic value of radiological tests in chronic pelvic pain

• Published in: Bailliere's best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 433 - 466
• Main Authors: Cody, Richard F., Ascher, Susan M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; chronic pain; Endometriosis - diagnosis; Endometriosis - diagnostic imaging; Female; Genital system. Mammary gland; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Leiomyoma - diagnosis; Leiomyoma - diagnostic imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Medical sciences; MRI applications; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - diagnosis; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - diagnostic imaging; pelvic pain; Pelvic Pain - diagnosis; Pelvic Pain - diagnostic imaging; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Ultrasonography; Varicose Veins - diagnosis; Varicose Veins - diagnostic imaging; MRI applications; chronic pain; pelvic pain; Human; Etiopathogenesis; Radiologic investigation; Medical imagery; Female; Diagnosis; Pelvic pain; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
• ISSN: 1521-6934; 1532-1932
• DOI: 10.1053/beog.1999.0085

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) presents a diagnostic as well as a therapeutic challenge to many clinicians. This chapter briefly describes the most frequent identifiable causes for CPP amenable to imaging; explains the most widely-used and widely available radiological tests for CPP; and compares/contrasts each test's utility and accuracy for a given causality. Examples of each imaging modality are included for demonstration purposes, and a summation table cross-references the best diagnostic methods with corresponding disease processes. References from the literature of both radiology and gynaecology were used in preparing this review.