Imaging technique and patient preparation are important to obtain optimal results. Patients are usually instructed to fast for 4–6 hours before the MRI examination to limit artifact due to small-bowel peristalsis. An anti-peristaltic agent (hyoscine butyl bromide or glucagons) may be administered to the patient before imaging as an alternative to fasting. Ideally, the patient is asked to empty the bladder before going on the MR scanner. A full bladder may degrade T2-weighted images because of ghosting and motion artifacts. Patients are imaged in the supine position using a pelvic surface array multichannel coil.

The basic MRI protocol  includes axial T1-weighted spin-echo images with a large field of view to evaluate the entire pelvis and upper abdomen for lymphadenopathy and bone marrow changes; high-resolution T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) images in the axial and sagittal planes for the evaluation of the primary tumor; and dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (small field of view) in the sagittal and axial oblique planes to evaluate the extent of myometrial and cervical involvement.

Sagittal T2

• Anterior saturation band over subcutaneous fat helps to eliminate respiratory motion artifact
• Include entire uterus and lower lumbar spine and sacrum
• If there is pelvic pain than it may be useful to also acquire proton density (TE = 17) images at the same time to evaluate any intervertebral disc disease.