MRI IN PREDICTING THE RESPONSE OF OVARIAN ENDOMETRIOMAS TO HORMONE-THERAPY

Objective: Our goal was to investigate the usefulness of MRI in predic ting the response of endometriomas to hormone therapy. Materials and M ethods: MRI and laparoscopy at the onset of treatment and follow-up MR I after 6 months of hormone therapy were performed in 21 patients with 49 endometriomas. T1- and T2-weighted images were obtained with a 1.5 T apparatus using a body coil. The lesions were divided into a respon der group and a nonresponder group according to whether the lesion siz e decreased by greater than or equal to 50% or not. Results: With MRI, shading was seen in 25 of 27 lesions (93%) from the nonresponder grou p, but in only 6 of 22 (27%) from the responder group. Low SI rim was seen in 59% of the responders and 89% of the nonresponders. Multiplici ty in 68% of the responders and in 85% of the nonresponders and irregu larity in 41% of the responders and in 78% of the nonresponders were s hown. Multiple logistic analysis revealed shading was the most importa nt factor in prediction of the response to hormone therapy. Conclusion : Shading was an important sign in evaluating the response of endometr iomas to hormone therapy. MRI may assist in selecting the appropriate therapy for endometriomas.