This book is intended as a reference for the practicing radiologist and as a learning device for residents. As the authors note in their preface, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is increasingly utilized in the evaluation of pelvic pathology, and knowledge of anatomic structures is an essential prerequisite for using MRI as a diagnostic tool. The authors present detailed anatomy of the male and female pelvis, including the upper thighs, in sagittal, coronal, and axial imaging planes. Subsequently, a series of cases that are illustrative of pelvic disease are presented. This atlas is not intended to provide a detailed analysis of pulse sequences, signal behavior of different tissues, or the physical principles of MR imaging.
The second and third chapters of the book present a comprehensive series of consecutive 5-mm-thick sections through the male and female pelvis in sagittal, coronal, and axial imaging planes. Small line drawings are provided for orientation. All images are T1-weighted spin-echo images. Detailed labeling of the visualized structures is clearly presented. Heavy emphasis is placed on identification of muscles, nerves, and bones, which is important, because these structures may often be overlooked by the body MR imager. Unfortunately, the spatial resolution of these images is not state of the art and is not adequate for demonstrating many important small pelvic structures, such as the uterine suspensory ligaments or the periprostatic neurovascular bundle.