Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Uterine Fibroids: A Preliminary Investigation into the Usefulness of 3D-Rendered Images for Surgical Planning

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of 3D surface-rendered (SR) magnetic resonance (MR) images for surgical planning of uterine fibroids.Methods: Ten patients with uterine fibroids underwent 3D volume isotropic turbo spin-echo acquisition (VISTA) sequences in sagittal planes. SR images showing the uterine body, endometrium, and fibroids were extracted from the raw MR data. The preoperative assessment for fertility-preserving fibroid enucleation was independently performed by two gynecologists using 2D sagittal and 3D SR images separately.Results: The required interpretation times [second] for sagittal versus SR images were 19.7 +/- 9.5 versus 10.4 +/- 5.1 for observer 1 (p < 0.05) and 47.5 +/- 12.3 versus 19.7 +/- 9.5 for observer 2 (p < 0.01). The accuracy rates of the planned surgical procedures from sagittal versus SR images were 50 versus 70% for observer 1 and 70 versus 70% for observer 2. The accuracy rates of the numbers of fibroids to be removed from sagittal versus SR images were 70 versus 80% for observer 1 and 70 versus 80% for observer 2.Conclusion: Compared with sagittal images, SR images could significantly reduce the time required for surgical planning of uterine fibroids without sacrificing the accuracy of the preoperative assessment.