title: Evaluation of the female urethra with intraurethral magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate feasibility of intraurethral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for in vivo assessment of the female urethra and to determine the anatomy of the urethra and periurethral attachments as depicted using an endourethral MR coil. Twenty-three continent volunteers were studied with a 14F endourethral MR coil. Intraurethral MRI allowed detailed visualization and measurements of the muscular layers of the urethral sphincter and permitted the evaluation of supporting ligaments. This technique may become useful in the evaluation of anatomical defects associated with female urethral sphincter deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-0750, USA. kmacura@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Katarzyna J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Macura
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Genadry
authors.forename: Tracy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Borman
authors.forename: Jacek L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mostwin
authors.forename: Albert C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lardo
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bluemke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015588:Observer Variation; D012016:Reference Values; D014521:Urethra / Q000033:anatomy & histology*