Role of Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Assessment of Female Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Abstract

Introduction: Pelvic floor weakening is a major health problem in older women, with an 11.1% lifetime risk of women over 50 years old to undergo surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Clinical examination is the main method of diagnosis, yet imaging is essential especially in patients with multicompartment defects. Pelvic Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging is expected to play a role in the preoperative planning for complex cases due to its high soft tissue resolution, which will help perform site-specific repair and so avoid recurrence. Aim of the work: The aim of this work is to evaluate the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a non invasive method in the assessment of female pelvic floor dysfunction. Methods: The studied group included 40 female patients complaining of pelvic organ prolapse and / or stress urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence. All patients were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination and Dynamic Magnetic resonance Imaging using 1.5 Tesla Philips MR Scanner. Results: Good concordance was found between Dynamic MRI and clinical examination in all three compartments. The concordance was 82.5% in the anterior compartment, 80% in the posterior compartment, 85% in enteroceles and 65.0% in the middle compartment. Conclusion: Dynamic MRI is a promising method that can be used as an imaging tool in the preoperative planning of pelvic organ prolapse.