[Functional MRI of the pelvic floor. The methods and reference values].
OBJECTIVE
Functional cine MRI of the pelvic floor is a yet another modality in addition to various radiological fluoroscopic techniques. This article describes our own method in view of the recent literature and provides morphometric reference values.


METHODS
We examined 20 nulliparous women (range of age: 25-51 years) with normal findings in the gynecological and urodynamic examination. Functional cine MRI was performed on a 1.5 Tesla equipment after opacification of the vagina and rectum. We used a T2-weighted gradient-echo sequence (Ture-FISP) to determine the position of the reference organs at rest and during straining/defecation. Two different reference lines were used. In addition 29 morphometric and functional parameters were measured, all of them being observer independent.


RESULTS
Functional cine MRI was able to show the extent and interaction of the pelvic floor organs in all cases with the reference organs always remaining above the pubococcygeal reference line. The depth of the rectocele was 2 cm. With the exception of the diameter of urogenital hiatus the different parts of the levator ani muscle could not be determined.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional cine MRI using an appropriate organ opacification and slice positioning is an objective, unifying diagnostic approach of the pelvic floor. The reference data given can be of help to distinguish normal from abnormal findings.
Lienemann
A
A
Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Klinikum der Universität, Grosshadern, München.
Sprenger
D
D
Janssen
U
U
Anthuber
C
C
Reiser
M
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000473:pathology*; D012016:Reference Values