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Female Genitalia: Dynamic MR Imaging with Use of MS-325—Initial Experiences Evaluating Female Sexual Response¹

¹ From the Departments of Radiology (A.V.D., K.R.M., P.A.G., Y.C.) and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.R.H., L.H.), University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Box 357115, Seattle, WA 98195-7115; Pfizer, Groton, Conn (W.O.C., B.T.P.); and EPIX Medical, Cambridge, Mass (R.M.W.). From the 1999 RSNA scientific assembly. Received July 9, 2001; revision requested August 2; final revision received May 20, 2002; accepted June 18. Supported in part by Pfizer and EPIX Medical. Address correspondence to K.R.M. (e-mail: kmarav@u.washington.edu).

PURPOSE: To determine whether magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with MS-325, a recently developed blood pool contrast agent, can depict sexual arousal response in healthy women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serial MR imaging of the external genitalia was performed in 12 healthy sexually functional women before and after administration of MS-325. MR images were obtained every 3 minutes during a 45-minute examination. During the examination, the subjects viewed neutral and erotic video material while they were in the magnet bore. MR image analysis at each interval consisted of vaginal wall, vaginal mucosa, and clitoris assessments; femoral vein signal intensity measurements; relative regional blood volume (rRBV) calculations; and clitoral volume measurements. Statistical analysis of the results was performed with a t test.

RESULTS: On subjective questionnaires, all subjects in the test group reported being sexually aroused. MS-325–enhanced MR images showed strong contrast enhancement of the external genitalia. The rRBV in the glans clitoris of seven of 10 subjects and in the clitoral body of eight of these subjects increased significantly (P < .05) during erotic visual stimulation. All 10 subjects had a significant (P < .05) increase in clitoral size. There were no significant differences in any measures between the pre- and postmenopausal study groups.

CONCLUSION: The sexual arousal response in healthy women can be monitored at serial MR imaging with MS-325. This examination holds promise for future studies of sexual arousal dysfunction in women.

© RSNA, 2002

Index terms: Gadolinium • Magnetic resonance (MR), contrast media, 855.12143 • Magnetic resonance (MR), volume measurement, 855.12144 • Vagina, 855.91 • Vagina, MR, 855.121412, 855.121416, 855.12143, 855.12144

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