OBJECTIVE: To compare sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings in deep endometriosis with emphasis on intestinal involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen women aged between 23 and 49 years with clinical suspicion and gynecological signs suggestive of deep endometriosis were submitted to ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging for correlation between findings. RESULTS: Ultrasonography detected 40 lesions while magnetic resonance imaging detected 53 lesions in the pelvis. A comparative study has not shown any statistically significant intermethod difference in the detection of lesions (respectively p > 0.19 and p > 0.14). In the rectosigmoid junction, magnetic resonance imaging has detected one (5.6%) lesion, while ultrasonography has detected four lesions (22.2%). In the rectum, ultrasonography has detected eight lesions (44.4%), and magnetic resonance imaging has detected seven lesions (38.9%). CONCLUSION: The intermethod agreement has not been good for lesions in the rectosigmoid junction, considering that ultrasonography has detected a higher number of lesions in this region, but a lower number of lesions in the pelvis as compared with magnetic resonance imaging. The global comparative analysis has demonstrated no statistically significant intermethod difference in the detection of lesions. Low cost, good tolerability and high availability make ultrasonography a valuable diagnostic tool in cases of deep endometriosis.

Keywords: Deep endometriosis, Diagnosis, Transvaginal ultrasonography, Magnetic resonance imaging

Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of normal endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. In patients with deep pelvic endometriosis, uterosacral ligaments, rectum, rectovaginal septum, vagina or bladder may be involved. Clinical manifestations may be variable, including pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, urinary symptoms and infertility. Complete surgical excision is the gold standard for treating this disease, and hence the importance of the preoperative work-up that usually is limited to an evaluation of sonographic and clinical data. Magnetic resonance imaging is of paramount importance in the diagnosis of endometriosis, considering its high accuracy in the identification of lesions intermingled with adhesions, and in the determination of peritoneal lesions extent. The present pictorial review describes the main magnetic resonance imaging findings in deep pelvic endometriosis.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging, Endometriosis, Female pelvis, Infertility

Ankle impingement syndrome is a painful condition resulting from friction of joint tissues that is both cause and effect of an altered joint biomechanics. The leading causes of such condition are post-traumatic lesions, particularly the ligamentous ones, resulting in chronic ankle pain. From an anatomic and clinical point of view, these syndromes may be classified as anterolateral, anterior, anteromedial, posteromedial, and posterior. Magnetic resonance imaging is an excellent diagnostic method for demonstrating bone and soft tissue abnormalities resulting from different types of ankle impingement, providing useful data to confirm the diagnosis as well as to rule out other possible causes of joint pain. The present essay is aimed at illustrating the main magnetic resonance imaging findings in ankle impingement syndrome.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging, Syndrome, Impingement, Ankle

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside the endometrial cavity and myometrium. Although this is a frequent disease with multifactorial causes, involvement of the lower urinary tract is rare. Magnetic resonance imaging is highly sensitive, specific and accurate in the diagnosis of endometriosis in the lower urinary tract, especially for allowing the identification of lesions obscured by adhesions or with subperitoneal extension. The present iconographic essay presents the main magnetic resonance imaging findings of the lower urinary tract involvement by endometriosis.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging, Endometriosis, Infertility, Genitourinary tract, Bladder, Urethra

We evaluated 43 magnetic resonance scans of the leg or thigh of patients suffering from sports trauma. Strains were the most frequent lesions observed. These lesions presented iso- or hypointense signal on T1 and hyperintense signal on T2 images, and were classified according to the intensity of the injury of the fibers into grades 1, 2 and 3. The second most common lesions in these series were contusions that appeared iso- or hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2 images. Fibrosis was also observed as low signal lesions on T1 and T2 images.

Keywords: Muscle injuries, Athletes, Magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging plays a relevant role in the assessment of patients with pain on the dorsal aspect of the distal forearm and wrist. Among the causes of pain, intersection syndrome is highlighted, corresponding to an inflammatory process affecting the tendons of the second compartment of the forearm extensor (extensor carpi radialis brevis and extensor carpi radialis longus), usually caused by direct trauma or repetitive activities requiring wrist flexion and extension. The present essay is aimed at illustrating the typical findings in intersection syndrome of the forearm and discuss the main differential diagnoses.

Keywords: Forearm; Intersection; Magnetic resonance imaging; Extensor compartment