Radiology, Vol 206, 777-783, Copyright © 1998 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Female pelvic floor: endovaginal MR imaging of normal anatomy

IL Tan, J Stoker, AW Zwamborn, KA Entius, JJ Calame and JS Lameris
Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Rotterdam-Dijkzigt, The Netherlands.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the anatomy of the female pelvic floor with endovaginal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy nulliparous volunteers (age, 22-26 years) underwent MR imaging with an endovaginal coil. Findings on endovaginal MR images in the volunteers were correlated with findings on endovaginal MR images and cross-sectional anatomic slices obtained in three cadavers. RESULTS: The endovaginal coil was well tolerated by all volunteers. Pelvic floor structures such as the pelvic diaphragm and the urogenital diaphragm were well depicted. Previously undescribed urethral supporting structures--the periurethral and paraurethral ligaments--were visualized. The zonal anatomy of the urethra was clearly visible. The endovaginal MR imaging findings in the volunteers correlated with the endovaginal MR findings and gross anatomy in the cadavers. CONCLUSION: Endovaginal MR imaging clearly demonstrates the anatomy of the female pelvic floor and urethra.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Boyadzhyan, S. S. Raman, and S. Raz Role of Static and Dynamic MR Imaging in Surgical Pelvic Floor Dysfunction RadioGraphics, July 1, 2008; 28(4): 949 - 967. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. F. El Sayed, M. M. Morsy, S. M. El Mashed, and M. S. Abdel-Azim Anatomy of the Urethral Supporting Ligaments Defined by Dissection, Histology, and MRI of Female Cadavers and MRI of Healthy Nulliparous Women Am. J. Roentgenol., November 1, 2007; 189(5): 1145 - 1157. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. J. Macura, R. R. Genadry, and D. A. Bluemke MR Imaging of the Female Urethra and Supporting Ligaments in Assessment of Urinary Incontinence: Spectrum of Abnormalities. RadioGraphics, July 1, 2006; 26(4): 1135 - 1149. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. N. Saleem MR Imaging Diagnosis of Uterovaginal Anomalies: Current State of the Art RadioGraphics, September 1, 2003; (2003) 13. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. K. Kim, Y. J. Kim, M. S. Choo, and K.-S. Cho The Urethra and Its Supporting Structures in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence: MR Imaging Using an Endovaginal Coil Am. J. Roentgenol., April 1, 2003; 180(4): 1037 - 1044. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. M. deSouza, O. J. Daniels, A. D. Williams, D. J. Gilderdale, and P. D. Abel Female Urinary Genuine Stress Incontinence: Anatomic Considerations at MR Imaging of the Paravaginal Fascia and Urethra—Initial Observations Radiology, November 1, 2002; 225(2): 433 - 439. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. R. Fielding Practical MR Imaging of Female Pelvic Floor Weakness RadioGraphics, March 1, 2002; 22(2): 295 - 304. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-a. Ryu and B. Kim MR Imaging of the Male and Female Urethra RadioGraphics, September 1, 2001; 21(5): 1169 - 1185. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Stoker, S. Halligan, and C. I. Bartram Pelvic Floor Imaging Radiology, March 1, 2001; 218(3): 621 - 641. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. R. Fielding, H. Dumanli, A. G. Schreyer, S. Okuda, D. T. Gering, K. H. Zou, R. Kikinis, and F. A. Jolesz MR-Based Three-Dimensional Modeling of the Normal Pelvic Floor in Women: Quantification of Muscle Mass Am. J. Roentgenol., March 1, 2000; 174(3): 657 - 660. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. M. Kelvin, D. D. T. Maglinte, D. S. Hale, and J. T. Benson Female Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Comparison of Triphasic Dynamic MR Imaging and Triphasic Fluoroscopic Cystocolpoproctography Am. J. Roentgenol., January 1, 2000; 174(1): 81 - 88. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]