Can mri detect irritation/inflammation of the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves in the pelvis?

May not : If the radiologist has enough clinical information he or she may find some contributing finding on the mri. The diagnosis for ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve irritation/inflammation (usually due to entrapment) remains largely a clinical one, meaning an imaging modality can help support the diagnosis but a normal study will not rule it out.

Yes it can.: Electrophysiologic study is the standard way of checking for nerve entrapment. Lately, with the advent of new technologies, MRI & mr neurograpy can be used as diagnostic tools as well. Take care! http://m.Radiographics.Rsna.Org/content/30/4/983.Long.