THE ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY: A REVIEW ABSTRACT

Abstract

Ectopic pregnancy is a potentially serious condition characterized by the implantation of the embryo outside the uterine cavity, being responsible for significant maternal morbidity and mortality, especially when diagnosis is delayed. Transvaginal ultrasonography is the first-line method, but it presents limitations in atypical or inconclusive cases, in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) emerges as a promising complementary tool. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of MRI in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, emphasizing its utility in situations of diagnostic doubt and in the characterization of adnexal masses. This is a systematic review conducted according to the PRISMA recommendations, searching the PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases, covering studies published between 2016 and 2026. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 studies were selected for qualitative analysis. The results demonstrated that MRI has a high capacity for tissue characterization, being particularly useful in atypical presentations and in the differentiation of adnexal masses. Techniques such as diffusion and the use of contrast increase its diagnostic accuracy. In the discussion, it was evidenced that MRI is especially relevant when ultrasonography is inconclusive, although there are methodological limitations in the available studies. It is concluded that MRI is a valuable complementary method in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, contributing to greater diagnostic precision and better clinical decision-making.