Magnetic resonance elastography of uterine leiomyomas: a feasibility study

Objective: To determine the feasibility of performing in vivo magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) for uterine leiomyoma.

Design: Pilot study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Patient(s): Six subjects planning surgical excision of uterine leiomyomas.

Intervention(s): MRE before planned surgery.

Main outcome measure(s): Achieving an appropriate phase signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) in the leiomyoma to allow assessment of leiomyoma elasticity in kilopascals (kPa).

Result(s): MRE was successful in all subjects for uteri ranging from 100 to >1,000 g. Subjects had body mass indexes ranging from 23.0 to 38.0 kg/m2. Appropriate PSNRs, ranging from 5.45 to 42.28, were achieved for leiomyomas in all subjects. Mean elasticity of uterine leiomyomas ranged from 3.95 to 6.68 kPa.

Conclusion(s): MRE is a feasible technique for studying the in vivo mechanical properties of uterine leiomyomas and demonstrates significant heterogeneity in elasticity between lesions. Further work is necessary to optimize the technique and understand the clinical utility of this technique for women with uterine leiomyomas.