Lower abdomen MRI: insight into left-sided pain

What is examined in the Lower abdomen MRI?

In this MRI scan, we examine the lower abdomen. We carefully look at the structures and organs in the lower abdomen to assess whether abnormalities are visible. We focus on the organs and structures in this area, such as the bladder, uterus (in women), and prostate (in men), to assess whether abnormalities are visible.

Note: At Prescan, we cannot adequately assess the intestines with an MRI and we are not allowed to screen for cancer, such as bowel cancer and prostate cancer, according to Dutch legislation.

What does the MRI scan of the lower abdomen provide me with?

General assessment of your organs and structures in the lower abdomen by a radiologist
Results on the same day
Personal lifestyle advice from a doctor based on your results

MRI scan

nephrology Lower abdomen

Details

Provides insight into
Pros and cons
Alternatives
Risks
Technical description

Provides insight into

A preventive MRI of the lower abdomen is intended to detect potential conditions at an early stage, but if you experience symptoms or notice unusual changes, you should always contact your general practitioner.

General:

Diverticula: bulges in the intestines that can become inflamed and cause abdominal pain.
Enlarged lymph nodes: these may indicate an infection or another underlying condition.
Bladder abnormalities: bulges (diverticula) or other abnormalities in the bladder can be detected.
Inguinal hernia: a bulge in the groin that causes pain or discomfort.

For women:

Fibroids (myomas): these are benign growths in the uterus. The scan measures the size and location of these myomas, which can be useful in treating menstrual complaints.
Uterine wall: a thickened uterine wall can cause lower abdominal complaints and menstrual problems.
Congenital abnormalities of the uterus: in rare cases, there may be a double uterus, vagina, or cervix. This is uncommon, but important information for health.
Endometriosis: this condition can cause severe lower abdominal complaints, especially around menstruation.
Enlarged ovaries: this may indicate cysts or other abnormalities.
Pelvic floor weakness: this can lead to prolapse, which causes discomfort.

For men:

Enlarged prostate: a common condition in older men, which can cause problems with urination.
Prostate examination: in men over 40, a scan can detect abnormalities in the prostate, such as enlarged glands.

What we cannot assess well:

Esophagus, stomach, and intestines. These organs are too mobile.

It is possible that an examination may lead to incidental findings. Before the examination, Prescan will ask whether you wish to be informed about incidental findings for which monitoring or treatment is possible, and incidental findings concerning conditions that may affect your offspring. Prescan is not permitted to inform you about incidental findings for which no monitoring or treatment is possible (see NEN 8051 standard for more information).

The results of the examination can be shared with your general practitioner. For more information about preventive medical examinations, Prescan recommends consulting the following independent sources:

Brochure from KNMG

RIVM Health Testing website

Pros and cons

Pros

High image quality without radiation: An MRI scan provides highly detailed images of organs and tissues without the use of harmful ionizing radiation, unlike for example an X-ray or CT scan.
Non-invasive and safe: The examination is safe and non-invasive, meaning that no needles or procedures are required, making it more comfortable for the patient.
No contrast medium required: For this specific MRI scan, no contrast medium is used, which makes the examination safer for people who may be allergic to contrast media or have kidney problems.

Cons

A preventive MRI scan can sometimes detect benign abnormalities that pose no risk. This may cause unnecessary worry or anxiety, especially if follow-up examinations are required to rule out something serious.
In some cases, harmless abnormalities may mistakenly be seen as concerning, which can lead to unnecessary follow-up examinations or additional scans. This can cause stress, even if it later turns out there is no problem. Prescan will never make a diagnosis or provide treatment in such cases, but will refer you to your general practitioner for further examination.
People with metal implants such as pacemakers or surgical clips may not always be able to undergo an MRI due to the use of strong magnets.
The enclosed space of the MRI machine can be an issue for people with claustrophobia.
Without contrast medium, some small abnormalities may be less visible on the scan. This means certain details are harder to detect, and additional examinations may sometimes be needed to get a clear picture.

Alternatives

If you have any symptoms, we advise you to contact your GP. Prescan focuses on preventive health checks and is not intended for investigating existing symptoms.

(Not offered by Prescan)

Possible alternatives include: CT Scan X-ray

Risks

Claustrophobia: fear of the narrow space, potentially resolved with sedatives. Sedatives should be obtained via a GP or over the counter from a pharmacy.
A key risk during an MRI scan is the presence of metal in the body. MRI uses strong magnets, and metal objects or implants can be attracted to these magnets, which can be dangerous. This applies to:
- Metal implants: Individuals with metal implants such as pacemakers, stents, or joint replacements must always inform their doctor. Some modern implants are MRI-safe, but this must be confirmed beforehand.
- Metal in the body: Splinters or other small metal objects in the body may shift or heat up during the MRI, which could cause injury.
- Metal objects: It is important to remove all metal objects such as jewellery, watches, and piercings before the scan, as they can be attracted by the magnetic field.

To avoid risks, a thorough screening is conducted before the MRI to check for the presence of metal.

Technical description

MRI Scanners

Prescan uses 1.5 and 3 Tesla scanners. The choice of scanner depends on the availability at the location. Unfortunately, clients cannot select a specific scanner. However, both types of scanners provide reliable and accurate images, and the choice of scanner does not affect the outcome or the quality of the examination.

MRI Protocol

The MRI protocol at Prescan has been developed in consultation with radiologists and MRI technicians to ensure optimal image quality, suited for preventative medical screening. While a standard protocol is followed, radiologists may decide to deviate from it based on the specific situation and apply a customised scan protocol.

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Lower abdomen MRI

What is examined in the Lower abdomen MRI?

What does the MRI scan of the lower abdomen provide me with?

Specifications Lower abdomen MRI

MRI scan

Provides insight into

General:

For women:

For men:

What we cannot assess well:

Pros and cons

Pros

Cons

Alternatives

(Not offered by Prescan)

Risks

Technical description

MRI Scanners

MRI Protocol

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