A systematic review of clinical studies on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of pelvic organ prolapse: the use of reference lines and anatomical landmarks.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to provide a systematic literature review of clinical studies on pelvic organ prolapse staging with use of dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.


METHODS
The databases EMBASE and PubMed were searched. Clinical studies were included in case they compared pelvic organ prolapse stages as assessed on dynamic MR imaging (using a reference line) with a standardized method of clinical prolapse staging.


RESULTS
Ten studies were included, which made use of seven different reference lines in relation to a wide variety of anatomical landmarks.


CONCLUSIONS
Only few studies have compared pelvic organ prolapse stages as assessed by dynamic MR imaging and clinical examination in a standardized manner. The available evidence suggests that prolapse assessment on dynamic MR imaging may be useful in the posterior compartment, but clinical assessment and dynamic MR imaging seem interchangeable in the anterior and central compartment.
Broekhuis
Suzan R
SR
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology 791, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein zuid 10, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. S.Broekhuis@obgyn.umcn.nl
Fütterer
Jurgen J
JJ
Barentsz
Jelle O
JO
Vierhout
Mark E
ME
Kluivers
Kirsten B
KB
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology*; D012015:Reference Standards; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000473:pathology*