Diagnosis Photo courtesy of SCVIR Fibroids are usually detected at gynecologic examination. The doctor performs an internal exam for identification of an enlarged uterus. They are most commonly visualized and confirmed by the ultrasound examination. This is a painless test, which uses sound waves not x-rays to image the mass. A sonographer moves a transducer (a small instrument the size of a cassette tape) over the pelvis with the bladder filled. Harmless sound waves are transmitted and the echoes are captured allowing the anatomy to be visualized. The pictures are printed out and the size and location of the fibroids are determined. Sometimes a transvaginal ultrasound is performed for better visualization. Other methods for detecting and imaging uterine fibroids are MRI and CT. MRI is the most sensitive of the tests and also the most costly. It gives exquisite detail of the pelvic structures and allows for the most precise evaluation of the size and location of the fibroids. This test uses radio waves and magnets to capture the image.	© 1999 RadiologyNY designed by: