Normal Pelvic Floor Research Articles

Surgical repair of bilateral levator ani muscles with ultrasound guidance

Separation of the levator ani muscles from pubic bone is a common major levator trauma that may occur in vaginal delivery and is associated with pelvic floor dysfunctions. We describe a novel ultrasound-guided technique to repair these muscles. A 33-year-old woman presented with a history of difficult vaginal delivery and complaint of numbness and weakness of the vagina. In evaluation, bilateral levator defects were diagnosed by physical examination, three-dimensional endovaginal ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. With ultrasound guidance the detached ends of muscles were tagged and sutured to their insertion points at the pubic bone. The patient's normal anatomy was restored with the return to normal pelvic floor tone. A follow-up ultrasound showed restored levator anatomy at 3 months.

Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

Constipation affects up to 28% of Americans in 4 pathophysiologic patterns: slow transit constipation, dyssynergic defecation, a combination of both, and normal colon transit with normal pelvic floor function. Constipation may be a part of a generalized gastrointestinal (GI) tract transit disorder. The purposes of this study were to determine the percentage of constipated patients with the different pathophysiologic subtypes and and to evaluate what percentage of constipated patients has a diffuse GI tract transit disorder. This was a retrospective analysis of 212 patients who underwent anorectal manometry for intractable constipation. Results of anorectal manometry, electromyography, balloon expulsion testing, defecography, and whole-gut transit scintigraphy were reviewed. Of 212 patients included in the analysis, 91 (42%) had slow transit constipation, 25 (12%) had dyssynergic defecation, 53 (25%) had both, and 43 (20%) had neither. Of patients (91) with slow transit constipation alone, 31 (34%) had delayed gastric emptying, 9 (10%) had delayed small bowel transit, 7 (8%) had a delay in both, and 41 (48%) had normal upper GI tract transit. A similar distribution of upper GI tract transit disorders was observed for patients with dyssynergic defecation, slow transit constipation and dyssynergic defecation, and normal colon transit with normal pelvic floor function. Patients with chronic idiopathic constipation have a range of colonic motor disorders. The majority (80%) had slow transit constipation, dyssynergic defecation, or a combination of slow transit constipation and dyssynergic defecation. In addition, many patients (51%) with chronic idiopathic constipation have a concurrent upper GI tract transit disorder.

Feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with fibre tractography of the normal female pelvic floor

ObjectivesTo prospectively determine the feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with fibre tractography as a tool for the three-dimensional (3D) visualisation of normal pelvic floor anatomy.MethodsFive young female nulliparous subjects (mean age 28 ± 3 years) underwent DTI at 3.0T. Two-dimensional diffusion-weighted axial spin-echo echo-planar (SP-EPI) pulse sequence of the pelvic floor was performed, with additional T2-TSE multiplanar sequences for anatomical reference. Fibre tractography for visualisation of predefined pelvic floor and pelvic wall muscles was performed offline by two observers, applying a consensus method. Three eigenvalues (λ1, λ2, λ3), fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated from the fibre trajectories.ResultsIn all subjects fibre tractography resulted in a satisfactory anatomical representation of the pubovisceral muscle, perineal body, anal - and urethral sphincter complex and internal obturator muscle. Mean FA values ranged from 0.23 ± 0.02 to 0.30 ± 0.04, MD values from 1.30 ± 0.08 to 1.73 ± 0.12 × 10−³ mm²/s. Muscular structures in the superficial layer of the pelvic floor could not be satisfactorily identified.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the feasibility of visualising the complex three-dimensional pelvic floor architecture using 3T-DTI with fibre tractography. DTI of the deep female pelvic floor may provide new insights into pelvic floor disorders.

Chronic Testicular Pain as a Symptom of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

We determined whether chronic testicular pain is related to pelvic floor overactivity after ruling out other disease pathology. A total of 41 patients with chronic testicular pain evaluated at our Pelvic Floor Department at a tertiary academic center were included in this retrospective study. All patients underwent standard pelvic floor investigation, including history using a standardized questionnaire and electromyography registration of the pelvic floor. In the questionnaire patients were asked about complaints in 3 domains (micturition, defecation and sexual function) suggestive of pelvic floor dysfunction. Electromyography registration of the pelvic floor was performed. The resting tone of the pelvic floor was considered increased at 3 muV or greater. Mean patient age was 48 years. Of the patients 93% had at least 1 symptom suspicious of pelvic floor dysfunction. A total of 22% had complaints in 1 of the domains of micturition, defecation or sexual function, 24% had complaints in 2 domains and 49% had complaints in all 3 domains. On electromyography registration of the pelvic floor 88% of patients appeared to have an increased resting tone of the pelvic floor muscles at a mean of 6.7 muV (normal less than 3). The patients with a normal pelvic floor resting tone were significantly older than those with an increased resting tone (65.6 vs 45.6, p = 0.0001). Chronic testicular pain can be a symptom of pelvic floor overactivity, especially in younger patients. A diagnostic evaluation should be performed when no pathophysiology can be found.

Long‐term quality‐of‐life outcome after mesh sacrocolpopexy for vaginal vault prolapse

To evaluate the long-term outcome of mesh sacrocolpopexy (MSC, which aims to restore normal pelvic floor anatomy to alleviate prolapse related symptoms) and its effect on patient's quality of life, as women with vaginal vault prolapse commonly have various pelvic floor symptoms that can affect urinary, rectal and sexual function. From January 2000 to June 2006, consecutive patients with confirmed stage 2-4 vaginal vault prolapse subsequently had a MSC. Detailed telephone interviews using the Cleveland Clinic Short Form-20 Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) questionnaire, with Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI), Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (POPDI) and Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory (CRADI) subscales was completed by all patients to assess symptoms before and after MSC, improvement in sexual function and overall satisfaction. In all, 21 patients had abdominal MSC; the median (range) follow-up was 52.2 (21-99) months. Total PFDI scores were significantly better after MSC (mean 44.0/300) than before (mean 113.9/300; P < 0.001). Analysis of the subscale scores showed that all patients reported a significant improvement of symptoms in the POPDI category (P < 0.001). CRADI subscale scores showed no significant change after MSC (before, mean 7.43/100 vs after 8.47/100; P = 0.542). There was an improvement of urinary symptoms on the UDI subscale after MSC but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). Analysis of score differences over time after MSC showed an insignificant decreasing slope (P = 0.227), suggesting long-term stability of symptoms after surgery; 90% of patients reported a significant improvement in sexual function and excellent long-term overall satisfaction with MSC. Our results suggest that MSC is a safe and effective surgical option for treating vaginal vault prolapse, providing symptom improvement and stability in the long term.

“Diagnostic Investigation of the Pelvic Floor”: A Helpful Tool in the Approach in Patients with Complaints of Micturition, Defecation, and/or Sexual Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction is recognized to be related to lower urinary tract dysfunction and to lower gastrointestinal symptoms, and is an influential factor in dysfunction and subsequent behavior of the genital system in both men and women. Caregivers should be informed regarding normal pelvic floor function in general and should be able to identify specific aspects of pelvic floor dysfunction in patients with related symptoms. In our hospital, this diagnostic consultation is indicated as Diagnostic Investigation of Pelvic Floor Function (DIPFF). This study looked at pelvic floor dysfunction related to specific complaints. DIPFF consists of a medical history, a physical examination, including the International Continence Society (ICS) pelvic organ prolapse quantification system in female patients, and a biofeedback registration using a vaginal or anal probe. Based on our experience, we defined an elevated rest tone as greater than 2 microV using intravaginal or intra-anal electromyography. Stratification of patients with a single complaint, a combination of two or three complaints of the micturition, defecation or sexual (all compartments of the pelvic floor) resulted in subgroups of respectively 30, 74, and 133 patients. A total of 238 patients with complaints of micturition, defecation, and/or sexual function were included in this study. Electromyographic analysis revealed an elevated rest tone of the pelvic floor in 141 patients. In 184 patients, we found an involuntary relaxation of the pelvic floor. In our retrospective study, we found that 77.2% of patients who presented to the clinic with urinary, gastro or sexual complaints had measurable pelvic floor dysfunction (69.3% overactive rest tone and 7.9% under active rest tone). In relation to the ICS terminology, there is a need for a well-defined normal vs. elevated rest tone of the pelvic floor.

Study on Estrogen Receptors in Uterine Ligaments of Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Patients With Normal Pelvic Floor

In Brief Objective: To explore the impact of menopause on estrogen receptors α and β (ER α and ER β) in the cardinal and uterosacral ligaments in both premenopausal and postmenopausal patients with clinically normal pelvic floor support. Methods: Cardinal and uterosacral ligament tissue samples were obtained from 12 premenopausal and 8 postmenopausal patients undergoing hysterectomy. No patients had symptoms of pelvic floor disorders as determined through medical history, gynecologic examination, stress test, and urodynamic examination. They had normal menses before menopause and did not take any hormones in the 3 months prior to the study. The ER α and ER β in cardinal and uterosacral ligaments were measured by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. Results: ER α stained positively in both cardinal and uterosacral ligaments of all premenopausal and postmenopausal patients with normal pelvic floor. There was no significant difference in ER α positive staining in the cardinal and uterosacral ligament between premenopausal and postmenopausal women (P > 0.05). ER β stained negatively in some part of the cardinal and uterosacral ligaments. Positive staining rate of ER β in the uterine ligament is significantly lower in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women (P < 0.01). The quantitative positive staining of ER α and ER β in the uterine ligaments is not related to menopausal status. The result of ER α and ER β by Western blotting method was similar to the result of ER α and ER β by immunohistochemical staining. Conclusions: 1) The ER β positive staining in the uterine ligaments is lower than ER α. 2) The positive staining rate of ER β in the uterine ligaments is significantly reduced in postmenopausal women. 3) ER α and ER β show different functional characteristics in uterine ligaments. ER β may play a more important role in occurrence of pelvic floor dysfunction relating to menopause. Estrogen receptor α (ERα) and estrogen receptor β (ERβ) in uterine ligaments are influenced by the patient's menopausal status.

Effect of Biofeedback Training on Paradoxical Pelvic Floor Movement in Children with Dysfunctional Voiding

Dynamic perineal ultrasonography to assess the function of the pelvic floor muscles in children with micturition complaints shows that many children with daytime incontinence or recurrent urinary tract infections use their pelvic floor paradoxically. They strain when asked to withhold urine, or they have no voluntary control of the pelvic floor muscles at all. The aim of this study was to record the pelvic floor function and evaluate the physical therapy regimens for children with dysfunctional voiding (DV) and paradoxical pelvic floor function. A total of 65 patients with DV, many who also had constipation, were diagnosed with paradoxical movement of the pelvic floor. The patients were asked to contract their pelvic floor muscles during a perineal dynamic ultrasound investigation. Of the 52 patients treated by physical therapists, 32 had a single 1-hour biofeedback session with rectal examination and anal balloon expulsion. In the remaining 20 patients, this was followed by 2 weeks of biofeedback balloon expulsion training at home. Forty control patients were observed. In 13 of the 65 patients, the diagnosis could not be confirmed by the physical therapists. At 6 to 10 months after training, 50 of the 52 other patients had normal voluntary pelvic floor muscle control. Of the 40 control patients, 39 had normal pelvic floor control. The results of this study have demonstrated that pelvic floor dysfunction occurs frequently in children with DV and can be cured by dedicated physical therapy. The clinical importance of this phenomenon is not yet clear. Prospective studies will teach us more about the true incidence and therapeutic effect of pelvic floor dysfunction on DV.

Women seeking treatment for advanced pelvic organ prolapse have decreased body image and quality of life

Women who seek treatment for pelvic organ prolapse strive for an improvement in quality of life. Body image has been shown to be an important component of differences in quality of life. To date, there are no data on body image in patients with advanced pelvic organ prolapse. Our objective was to compare body image and quality of life in women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse with normal controls. We used a case-control study design. Cases were defined as subjects who presented to a tertiary urogynecology clinic with advanced pelvic organ prolapse (stage 3 or 4). Controls were defined as subjects who presented to a tertiary care gynecology or women's health clinic for an annual visit with normal pelvic floor support (stage 0 or 1) and without urinary incontinence. All patients completed a valid and reliable body image scale and a generalized (Short Form Health Survey) and condition-specific (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20) quality-of-life scale. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to adjust for possible confounding variables. Forty-seven case and 51 control subjects were enrolled. After controlling for age, race, parity, previous hysterectomy, and medical comorbidities, subjects with advanced pelvic organ prolapse were more likely to feel self-conscious (adjusted odds ratio 4.7; 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 18, P = .02), less likely to feel physically attractive (adjusted odds ratio 11; 95% confidence interval 2.9 to 51, P < .001), less likely to feel feminine (adjusted odds ratio 4.0; 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 15, P = .03), and less likely to feel sexually attractive (adjusted odds ratio 4.6; 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 17, P = .02) than normal controls. The groups were similar in their feeling of dissatisfaction with appearance when dressed, difficulty looking at themselves naked, avoiding people because of appearance, and overall dissatisfaction with their body. Subjects with advanced pelvic organ prolapse suffered significantly lower quality of life on the physical scale of the SF-12 (mean 42; 95% confidence interval 39 to 45 versus mean 50; 95% confidence interval 47 to 53, P < .009). However, no differences between groups were noted on the mental scale of the SF-12 (mean 51; 95% confidence interval 50 to 54 versus mean 50; 95% confidence interval 47 to 52, P = .56). Additionally, subjects with advanced pelvic organ prolapse scored significantly worse on the prolapse, urinary, and colorectal scales and overall summary score of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 than normal controls (mean summary score 104; 95% confidence interval 90 to 118 versus mean 29; 95% confidence interval 16 to 43, P < .0001), indicating a decrease in condition-specific quality of life. Worsening body image correlated with lower quality of life on both the physical and mental scales of the SF-12 as well as the prolapse, urinary, and colorectal scales and overall summary score of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 in subjects with advanced pelvic organ prolapse. Women seeking treatment for advanced pelvic organ prolapse have decreased body image and overall quality of life. Body image may be a key determinant for quality of life in patients with advanced prolapse and may be an important outcome measure for treatment evaluation in clinical trials.

The Utility of Pudendal Nerve Terminal Motor Latencies in Idiopathic Incontinence

Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency testing has been used to test for pudendal neuropathy, but its value remains controversial. We sought to clarify the relationship of pudendal nerve terminal motor latency to sphincter pressure and level of continence in a cohort of patients with intact anal sphincters and normal pelvic floor anatomy. We reviewed 1,404 consecutive patients who were evaluated at our pelvic floor laboratory for fecal incontinence. From this group, 83 patients had intact anal sphincters on ultrasound and did not have internal or external rectal prolapse during defecography. These patients were evaluated by pudendal nerve terminal motor latency testing, a standardized questionnaire, and anorectal manometry, which measured resting and squeeze anal pressures. Incontinence scores were calculated by using the American Medical Systems Fecal Incontinence Score. Values were compared by using the Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon's rank-sum test; and significance was assigned at the P < 0.05 level. 1) Using a 2.2-ms threshold, 28 percent of patients had prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency unilaterally and 12 percent bilaterally. 2) At a 2.4-ms threshold, 18 percent of patients had prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency unilaterally and 8 percent bilaterally. 3) Bilaterally prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency was significantly associated with decreased maximum mean resting pressure and increased Fecal Incontinence Score, but not decreased maximum mean squeeze pressure, at both 2.2-ms and 2.4-ms thresholds. 4) Unilaterally prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency was not associated with maximum mean resting pressure, maximum mean squeeze pressure, or fecal incontinence score at either threshold. The majority of incontinent patients with intact sphincters have normal pudendal nerve terminal motor latency. Bilaterally but not unilaterally prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency is associated with poorer function and physiology in the incontinent patient with an intact sphincter.

Restoring pelvic floor function in men: review of RCTs

The male pelvic floor muscles support the abdominal contents, are active during breathing, maintain urinary and faecal continence, increase local blood supply and are active during sexual intercourse. It was hypothesized that weak pelvic floor muscles would compromise these functions in men and lead to urinary and faecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction and that pelvic floor muscle strengthening would restore normal function. After a literature search of randomized controlled trials was undertaken, it was found that weak pelvic floor muscles compromised normal pelvic floor function and led to urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles was shown to significantly improve post-prostatectomy urinary continence, post-micturition dribble and erectile function. It would be prudent for all men to exercise their pelvic floor muscles to maintain normal pelvic floor function.

The hidden epidemic of pelvic floor dysfunction: Achievable goals for improved prevention and treatment

Each year, pelvic floor dysfunction affects between 300,000 and 400,000 American women so severely that they require surgery. Approximately 30% of the operations performed are re-operations. The high prevalence of this problem indicates the need for preventive strategies, and the common occurrence of re-operation indicates the need for treatment improvement. Efforts at prevention and treatment improvement will only be possible if research clarifies causative mechanisms and scientifically valid studies discover why operations fail. By reaching a goal of 25% prevention we could save 90,000 women from experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction and with 25% treatment improvement we could avoid 30,000 women from needing a second operation. To achieve these goals we must discover specific events or behaviors in a woman's life that lead to these problems and that are amenable to preventive strategies. In addition, we must define specific biologic and behavioral factors that explain why certain women have recurrence after surgery. Because the pelvic organ support system is comprised of muscles, ligaments, and nerves arranged in a complex tension-based apparatus, the basic nature of this work must include biomechanical analyses of the overall mechanism and targeted research into the biology of muscle, ligament, nerve, and their complex interactions in normal pelvic floor function and in symptomatic patient. Each of these scientific disciplines is well developed so that engaging scientists in the effort to move forward will bring predictably important results. With an integrated approach to this problem over the next 20 years, it should be possible to achieve these goals and reduce the suffering for more than 100,000 afflicted women.

Synergistic non-surgical management of pelvic floor dysfunction: second report.

The normal pelvic floor functions as a balanced synergistic system composed of muscle, connective tissue (CT), and nerve components, with CT being the most vulnerable. The aim was to address a wide range of pelvic floor dysfunctions by strengthening all possible components of the system with minimal time loss, weaving every element of treatment seamlessly into a daily routine. The study group consisted of patients from a tertiary referral pelvic floor clinic who, after testing, opted for nonsurgical treatment of their problem. There were no exclusion criteria. The patients had presented with symptoms which included stress, urge, frequency, nocturia, abnormal emptying and pelvic pain, and the fate of these was tracked prospectively. The regime comprised four visits in 3 months. An anatomical classification guided diagnosis of anatomical defects in the anterior, middle and posterior compartments of the vagina. HRT was administered to all patients, electrotherapy 20 min per day for 4 weeks, squeezing 3 x 12 per day, reverse pushdowns 3 x 12 per day and squatting or equivalent up to 20 min per day. Of 147 patients (mean age 52.5 years), 53% completed the programme. Median QOL improvement reported was 66%, mean cough stress test urine loss reduced from 2.2 g (range 0-20.3 g) to 0.2 g (range 0-1.4 g), p =<0.005, and 24-h pad loss from a mean of 3.7 g (range 0-21.8 g) to a mean of 0.76 g (range 0-9.3 m), p =<0.005. Frequency, nocturia and pelvic pain were significantly improved ( p=<0.005). Residual urine reduced from mean 202 ml to mean 71 ml ( p=<0.005). This method extends indications for nonsurgical therapy beyond stress incontinence, and the results appear to encourage this approach. Confirmation by other investigators is required.

Spectrum of CT findings in acute pyogenic pelvic inflammatory disease.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common medical problem, affecting nearly 1 million women each year. Although the radiology literature is replete with discussions of the sonographic manifestations of PID, little has been published regarding the computed tomographic (CT) appearances of this entity. CT findings in early PID include obscuration of the normal pelvic floor fascial planes, thickening of the uterosacral ligaments, cervicitis, oophoritis, salpingitis, and accumulation of simple fluid in the endometrial canal, fallopian tubes, and pelvis. As the disease progresses, this simple fluid may become complex and the inflammatory changes may progress to frank tubo-ovarian or pelvic abscesses. Reactive inflammation of adjacent structures is common and can manifest as small or large bowel ileus or obstruction, hydroureter and hydronephrosis, right upper quadrant inflammation (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome), or peritonitis. Familiarity with the CT appearances of these manifestations is important for timely diagnosis and treatment of PID and its complications.

Prosthetic rectopexy to the pelvic floor and sigmoidectomy for rectal prolapse

Background: Full thickness rectal prolapse in young adults with normal pelvic floor is a disease in which the rectum is exceedingly long and mobile. Surgical treatment should correct both anatomical defects by combined rectopexy and colonic resection, which is expected to be less constipating than rectopexy alone. The aim of this study was to describe an original procedure of rectopexy to the pelvic floor with prosthetic material combined with sigmoid resection, and to evaluate prospectively anatomical and functional results. Methods: Thirty-five patients (30 women) of median age 44 years (range 18 to 74) were operated on for full thickness rectal prolapse with normal pelvic floor. The rectum was mobilized posteriorly without division of the lateral ligaments and attached to the pelvic floor previously repaired with a nonabsorbable mesh. The sigmoid colon was resected with hand-sewn anastomosis. Clinical results were assessed by a questionnaire. Results: There were no deaths or any septic or anastomotic complications. Small bowel obstruction was corrected laparoscopically in 1 patient. Mean hospital stay was 8 days (range 6 to 14). Mean follow-up was 34 months (range 10 to 93). No recurrence was seen. Preoperatively, 33 patients (94%) complained of constipation mainly with emptying problems (21 patients) and 25 patients (71.5%) were incontinent. Postoperatively, no constipated or incontinent patient’s condition worsened. Rectal emptying was restored in 17 patients (81%). Eighteen incontinent patients (72%) regained full continence. On the other hand, 2 patients with normal bowel function worsened and 1 patient with an altered rectal compliance after Delorme’s operation became incontinent. Conclusions: In young adults with rectal prolapse and normal pelvic floor undergoing prosthetic rectopexy and sigmoid resection (a) morbidity was low, (b) anatomical control was obtained in all cases, (c) emptying problems were corrected, and (d) deleterious effects are likely to occur if they had no constipation before operation or if rectal compliance was previously altered.

PELVIC FLOOR ANATOMY IN CLASSIC BLADDER EXSTROPHY USING 3-DIMENSIONAL COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY: INITIAL INSIGHTS

We present the pelvic floor anatomy of the major pelvic floor musculature in classic bladder exstrophy, including the levator ani, obturator internus and obturator externus. By improving our knowledge of pelvic floor anatomy we hope to understand better the relationship of the pelvic floor to the bony anatomy as well as the role of osteotomy in changing pelvic floor anatomy to enhance urinary control after surgery. 3-Dimensional computerized tomography was done in 6 boys and 1 girl, including 5 patients 2 days to 5 months old (mean age 7 months) undergoing primary closure and 2 who were 4 and 8 years old undergoing repeat closure. The pelvic floor musculature, including the levator ani, obturator internus and obturator externus, in these cases was compared to that in 26 age and sex matched controls. The levator ani musculature encompasses a significantly wider area of 9.5 cm.2 in patients with classic bladder exstrophy than in controls. The anterior segment of the levator ani was shorter (1.2 cm.) and the posterior segment of the levator ani was longer (2.5 cm.) than in controls. The degree of divergence of the levator ani in classic exstrophy was significantly more outwardly rotated (38.8 degrees) than controls. In addition, the transverse diameter of the levator hiatus was 2-fold that in our control group and in that of published controls, while the length of the hiatus was 1.3-fold that in normal controls. There was also significant flattening, involving a 31.7 degree decrease in steepness between the right and left halves of the levator ani, of the puborectal sling in classic bladder exstrophy versus controls. Because of these findings, there is more anterior superior rotation in the pelvic floor in exstrophy cases. The obturator internus was more outwardly rotated (15.1 degrees) in exstrophy and the obturator externus also showed more outward rotation (16.9 degrees) than in controls. This study provides better understanding of the pelvic floor anatomy in classic bladder exstrophy. Significant differences have been documented in the pelvic floor in classic bladder exstrophy cases and controls. Hopefully these differences may have a pivotal role in providing new insight into long-term issues, such as urinary and fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse, in classic bladder exstrophy.

MR-based three-dimensional modeling of the normal pelvic floor in women: quantification of muscle mass.

Our objective was to use a combination of axial MR source images and three-dimensional (3D) models to describe the anatomy of the normal pelvic floor in young nulliparous women and to measure the volume of the levator ani. Ten healthy nulliparous female volunteers (average age, 27 years) underwent T2-weighted MR imaging of the pelvis. Three-dimensional color-coded models of the pelvic bones and organs and the three major components of the levator ani--puborectalis, iliococcygeus, and coccygeus--were created. Source images were used to measure muscle width and signal intensity and to identify ligamentous structures. Using 3D models, we measured the volume of the levator ani, the angle of the levator plate, the posterior urethrovesical angle, and the distance of the bladder neck from the symphysis pubis and the pubococcygeal line. In all volunteers, the signal intensity of the puborectalis exceeded that of the obturator externus. The average volume of the levator ani was 46.6 ml, the average width of the levator hiatus was 41.7 mm, and the average posterior urethrovesical angle was 143.5 degrees. Vaginal shape in the volunteers followed no recognizable pattern. Muscle morphology, signal intensity, and volume is relatively uniform among healthy young women.

Female stress, urge, and mixed urinary incontinence are associated with a chronic and progressive pelvic floor/vaginal neuromuscular disorder: An investigation of 317 healthy and incontinent women using vaginal surface electromyography.

Reduction of the maximum vaginal surface electromyography (EMG) activity has previously been demonstrated in women with stress, urge, and mixed incontinence in comparison with healthy volunteers [Gunnarsson and Mattiasson, Scand J Urol Nephol 157:89-95, 1994]. The present study was performed to investigate if these EMG changes are age dependent and whether healthy parous women in general might show an age-related decrease of vaginal and pelvic neuromuscular activity. A total of 317 women, 144 with urinary incontinence and 173 healthy volunteers, 20 to 76 years of age, were investigated. The maximum EMG activity during repeated short contractions (2 s) was measured. We found that parous women who have maintained continence through the years had a normal pelvic floor function as estimated with vaginal surface EMG. In contrast, all three groups of incontinent women showed a successive decrease of the EMG activity with increasing age. This difference was highly significant (P < 0.001) in women above the age of 50. No significant differences could be seen between groups when stress, urge, and mixed incontinent women were compared. Even though any convincing correlation between the amount of urinary leakage and the reduction of EMG activity was not found, we conclude that a chronic and progressive deterioration of the pelvic-vaginal neuromuscular function occurs in women who develop urinary incontinence. The results support the view that a common pathophysiological mechanism in patients with stress, urge, and mixed incontinence might exist. The findings might help to establish a new perspective for the understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of female incontinence. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18:613-621, 1999.

NORMAL PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOLOGY

This article outlines the normal physiology of the female pelvic floor, including normal urinary storage and voiding, normal colorectal storage, and defecation. Physiologic changes during a woman's lifetime that may affect bladder and bowel function are also considered. An important framework for understanding the normal physiology of the female pelvic floor is provided, so the reader may gain a more thoughtful approach to the recognition and treatment of pelvic floor pathophysiology.

Dynamic imaging of the normal pelvic floor.

To provide quantitative data by a modern cross-sectional imaging technique (CT) for defining normal physiological values of pelvic floor structures. Twenty seven subjects, 7 males, 20 females, aged 20-75 yrs (mean 46.3 +/- 5 yrs) without pelvic floor or defection dysfunction underwent Direct Coronal (DC) CT scanning of the pelvis with the patient seated instead of lying. Scans obtained at rest and on straining were compared by bony landmarks. Three anatomical compartments, i.e. anterior, middle and posterior, were identified by two planes drawn tangential to the ischial foramina and the ischial tuberosities, respectively. Measurements of (1) Levator ani muscle length (mm); (2) Levator-anal angle (degrees); (3) Rectal floor-to-ischial line distance (mm) and (4) Supra/Infralevator spaces (square cm) were independently performed twice by two radiologists. The statistical analysis included calculation of intra and interobserver agreement (correlation coefficient). The differences between the means of the resting and straining values from each compartment (Student's t test) and the correlation between parameters (Pearson's coefficient) to evaluate whether resting values allowed a prediction of those on straining were determined. DC scans of diagnostic quality were obtained in all but two patients (92.5%). Both intra- and interobserver agreement indices were always greater than 80% (except for a 0.63 value by one observer obtained in the infralevator space from the anterior compartment at rest). A significant difference between the resting and straining values of all parameters was noted in the three compartments. At rest the levator ani muscle length was significantly shorter and the supralevator space smaller in the posterior compartment (48.3 +/- 7.9 mm vs 48.8 +/- 7 mm vs 42.6 +/- 9.4 mm, P < 0.05 and 70.6 +/- cm2 vs 66.9 +/- 11.5 cm2 vs 27.2 +/- 4.8 cm2, P < 0.01 anterior, middle and posterior respectively). On straining, these two parameters increased by +42% and +17.8%, respectively, in the same compartment, while the most pronounced variation of the infralevator space occurred in the middle compartment (-51.1%). The increase in the supralevator space correlated with a decrease in the rectal floor-to-ischial line distance and widening of the levator-anal angle (r = -0.64, P < 0.01 and 0.48, P < 0.05, respectively). A close correlation between resting and straining values was observed in all parameters, especially in the supralevator space in the three compartments (r = 0.82, 0.93 and 0.88, P < 0.01). Direct Coronal CT scanning showed that on straining the posterior component of the levator ani muscle, i.e. the coccygeus muscle, undergoes "physiological overstretching" and the supralevator space acts as a "compliant cavity", whose behaviour can be predicted at rest.