title: Pelvic floor imaging: comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and conventional defecography in studying outlet obstruction syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study prospectively compared the diagnostic capabilities of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with conventional defecography (CD) in outlet obstruction syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen consecutive patients with clinical symptoms of outlet obstruction underwent pelvic MR examination. The MR imaging protocol included static T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) images in the sagittal, axial and coronal planes; dynamic midsagittal T2-weighted single-shot (SS)-FSE and fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) cine images during contraction, rest, straining and defecation. MR images (including and then excluding the evacuation phase) were compared with CD, which is considered the reference standard.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison between CD and MR with evacuation phase (MRWEP) showed no significant differences in sphincter hypotonia, dyssynergia, rectocele or rectal prolapse and significant differences in descending perineum. Comparison between CD and MR without evacuation phase (MRWOEP) showed no significant differences in sphincter hypotonia, dyssynergia or enterocele but significant differences in rectocele, rectal prolapse and descending perineum. Comparison between MRWEP and MRWOEP showed no significant differences in sphincter hypotonia, dyssynergia, enterocele or descending perineum but significant differences in rectocele, rectal prolapse, peritoneocele, cervical cystoptosis and hysteroptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MR imaging provides morphological and functional study of pelvic floor structures and may offer an imaging tool complementary to CD in multicompartment evaluation of the pelvis. An evacuation phase is mandatory.
authors: Istituto di Radiologia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, P.O. Gaspare Rodolico di Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy. pietrofoti@hotmail.com
authors: P V
authors: PV
authors: Foti
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Farina
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Riva
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Coronella
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Fisichella
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Palmucci
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Racalbuto
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Politi
authors: G C
authors: GC
authors: Ettorre
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003248:Constipation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019841:Defecography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D013577:Syndrome