How are fibroids diagnosed?
Since a large majority of patients with fibroids are completely asymptomatic, most fibroids are never diagnosed. Fibroids are usually detected during a routine gynecologic exam when the patient’s gynecologist feels an enlarged or lobulated uterus. The diagnosis is usually confirmed using ultrasound or less commonly MRI. In general, MRI is better than ultrasound in determining the exact size, number and location of the fibroids (see samples in web site). It also provides information concerning the blood supply to the fibroids that ultrasound cannot provide.
