Will endometriosis show up on a MRI?

[Charts]

Thinking of paying privately for a MRI to see if it will show up on a MRI. I'm on the waiting list for a laparoscopy but I'm worried about where I'm getting pain and it might not be endometriosis. I've been back and forth the doctors for a yr with pain under my right rib and now starting on the left side also. I suppose the pain is like a bad stitch, its also been coming and going on the yr. When I said about getting a scan my doctor was like no no these scans are dangerous (radiation etc). I'm at a point where I'm worried what if it's not endometriosis and something serious and I'm just leaving it. So now I got to beg her to refer me privately and I'll pay....but will it even show up on a MRI?

[HopeRed]

I saw my gynae team last week - I am known to have endo - I have had an MRI before and they have just asked for another due to new symptoms we think are end but making sure.

[ChloB]

Heya

Endo doesn’t usually show up in an mri scan I’m afraid it’s so small. It’s very unlikely. I guess talk to doctors and see if they think the MRI would find an alternate diagnosis. If you can afford the MRI privately I guess the question is would you regret not getting it done if 6 months down the line you have one on the NHS and they find something? Seeing a private doctor is very different, they’re a lot better at believing you as they don’t have to worry about the cost you can always just have a consultancy with the specialist and then get referred back to the NHS. Try and see if there’s a private endo specialist in your area

[Stresshead24]

Pain under my right rib was my gallbladder. It showed normal on all scans until they did an emergency op one day due to the pain and it was full of sludge rather then gallstones. It was one of the worst the surgeon had seen he told me ?

5 yrs later I also got diagnosed with very bad endo that did show up on an MRI but because I had a 6cm endometiona on my ovaries. When I had surgery they found alot more endo probs then what had shown on scans x

[sazood]

Hi

Yes it can show on MRI but needs to be read by a specialist in endo

[luthien]

I went privately for my whole endo diagnosis, my endo specialist didn't like the idea of MRIs as he said they don't always show endo because it doesn't always look much different to normal tissue. It does help show fibrioids and PCOS though, plus sometimes scar tissue or adhesions so it can help. He said he's found just going in and having a look visually and with a camera is best. We decided on a normal and tranvaginal ultrasound so he could get an idea of the layout and any problems he may encounter. Don't be frustrated if private doesn't offer one, it really depends on the specialist and how much they feel they can rely on it - ultimately a lap is a 100% surefire way of spotting endo.

[Linley]

Hi!

I went private as well as my company insured us. A Lap showed all, got the diagnosis. started the treatment and my anxiety fell from high to low just knowing.

If you can afford it go private. Good Luck

[Charts]

I suppose the main reason is to rule out something bad like cancer and at least a MRI would pick that up. Then if it does show up as endometriosis then it will be a bonus and explain why I keep getting pain

[Popetta]

Hello Charts,

Not necessarily, the golden standard is diagnosis via laparoscopy.

I also speak based on my personal experience, where I had all sorts of ultrasound scans, MRI's, etc. carried out and my endometriosis did not show on any of these.

It was only due to my persistence (knew all my symptoms were not "normal", nor "in my head", nor caused by the "labels" medics were offering, even though it was clear they did not have a clue what the real cause was) that I had a laparoscopy done (went privately and it was carried out at an endo specialist centre to guarantee best surgery type). Mine was not visible via any other method due to its location (uterosacral ligament) and it being superficial. Thanks to the lap they also performed excision surgery to remove the damaged tissue as I presented nodules/lesions.

You can find a list of approved Endo specialist centres on the following link: bsge.org.uk/centre/

I hope you find this information useful.

Best of luck!

[Lahodges10]

Hello! I too have this exact pain (google suggested gallbladder) but from reading this forum and doing as much research as Possible Endo can absolutely cause pain here. Mine feels very much right side/rib goes into back but then can disappear and it’s on the other side and endo can do this ...actually saw a different gp and she was the first one to ever say ‘this sounds like endometriosis’ awaiting more ultrasounds but no mri. I have read they can sometimes see signs of endo but only real way to know is lap. I am personally terrified of surgery so I’m hoping my scans can help in some way. Good luck! Let us know what you decide to do.