A comparison of uterine peristalsis in women with normal uteri and uterine leiomyoma by cine magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
The non-pregnant uterus shows wave-like activity (uterine peristalsis). This pilot study was intended to determine: (1) whether uterine peristalsis during the menstrual cycle is detectable by cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (2) the effects of leiomyoma on uterine peristalsis.


METHODS
Mid-sagittal MRI was performed sequentially with T2-weighted single-shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE) in 3 normal ovulatory volunteers and 19 premenopausal women with uterine leiomyoma. Direction and frequency of movement of the junctional zone were evaluated using a cine mode display.


RESULTS
Junctional zone movement was identified in all subjects. Direction of uterine peristalsis in normal volunteers was fundus-to-cervix during menstruation, cervix-to-fundus during the periovulatory phase, and isthmical during the mid- and late-luteal phases. Abnormal peristaltic patterns were detected in three of five patients with uterine leiomyoma during menstruation and in the mid-luteal phase of the cycle, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Cine MRI is a novel method for evaluation of uterine peristalsis. Results of this pilot study suggest that abnormal uterine peristalsis during menstruation and the mid-luteal phase might be one of the causes of hypermenorrhea and infertility associated with uterine leiomyoma.
Orisaka
Makoto
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Fukui, 23-3 Shimoaizuki, Matsuoka, Fukui 910-1193, Japan. orisaka@fmsrsa.fukui-med.ac.jp
Kurokawa
Tetsuji
T
Shukunami
Ken-Ichi
K
Orisaka
Sanae
S
Fukuda
Mika T
MT
Shinagawa
Akiko
A
Fukuda
Shin
S
Ihara
Noboru
N
Yamada
Hiroki
H
Itoh
Harumi
H
Kotsuji
Fumikazu
F
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D010528:Peristalsis / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000503:physiopathology*