title: Dynamic MR imaging of the pelvic floor: a pictorial review.
abstract: Pelvic floor dysfunctions involving some or all pelvic viscera are complex conditions that occur frequently and primarily affect adult women. Because abnormalities of the three pelvic compartments are frequently associated, a complete survey of the entire pelvis is necessary for optimal patient management, especially before surgical correction is attempted. With the increasing use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in assessing functional disorders of the pelvic floor, familiarity with normal imaging findings and features of pathologic conditions are important for radiologists. Dynamic MR imaging of the pelvic floor is an excellent tool for assessing functional disorders of the pelvic floor such as pelvic organ prolapse, outlet obstruction, and incontinence. Findings reported at dynamic MR imaging of the pelvic floor are valuable for selecting patients who are candidates for surgical treatment and for choosing the appropriate surgical approach. This pictorial essay reviews MR imaging findings of pelvic organ prolapse, fecal incontinence, and obstructed defecation. Supplemental material available at http://radiographics.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/e35v1/DC1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology DEA, Umberto I General Hospital, University of Rome La Sapienza, viale del Policlinico 155-00161, Rome, Italy. chiarilu@tiscali.it
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Colaiacomo
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Masselli
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Polettini
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lanciotti
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Casciani
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bertini
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gualdi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D052858:Cystocele / Q000473:pathology; D003672:Defecation; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000473:pathology; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000473:pathology; D012016:Reference Values; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000473:pathology; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000473:pathology