EVALUATION OF UTERINE FIBROIDS: ULTRASONOGRAPHY VERSUS MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THERAPEUTIC DECISION-MAKING

Abstract

Uterine fibroids are benign neoplasms commonly found in women of reproductive age and may present clinicalmanifestations such as abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, compressive symptoms, and fertility-related changes. Adequate characterization of these lesions is relevant for determining therapeutic management, particularly regardingtheir number, size, location, and relationship with uterinestructures. In this context, the present study aimed to compare ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in theevaluation of uterine fibroids, considering their advantages, limitations, and applicability in therapeutic decision-making. This is a descriptive literature review based on scientificstudies related to the imaging diagnosis of uterine leiomyoma. The results demonstrated that ultrasonographyhas greater applicability as na initial method due to its wideavailability, lower cost, rapid performance, and absence ofionizing radiation. Magnetic resonance imaging, in turn, provides higher tissue contrast resolution and anatomicalmapping capabilities, being particularly useful in cases involving multiple or large leiomyomas, complex anatomy, and when ultrasonographic evaluation is insufficient. It isconcluded that the methods have complementarycharacteristics, with ultrasonography preferably indicated for the initial evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging usedselectively to complement the investigation and assist in therapeutic planning.