Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Pelvic Floor


Definition: Pelvic organ prolapse is a relatively common condition in women that can have a significant impact on quality of life. Pelvic organ prolapse typically demonstrates multiple abnormalities which may involve the urinary bladder, urethra, vagina, rectum, and small bowel.
Clinical Presentation: Pain, pressure, urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation, urinary retention, and defecatory dysfunction.
Diagnosis: Clinical history and physical pelvic examination. Equivicol cases require imaging.
Imaging: Defecography and pelvic floormagnetic resonance ( MR ) imaging can be useful in evaluating pelvic organ prolapse. The advantages of Magnetic Resonance imaging include: increased comfort for the patient, lack of ionizing radiation, better evaluation of the soft tissues of the pelvic floor, and multiplanar technique. Dynamic images show pelvic organ prolapse, which may be obvious only when abdominal pressure is increased