Pelvic Floor Anatomy Radiology

The authors review the pelvic floor anatomy describe the mr imaging protocol used in their institutions survey common mr imaging findings in the presence of pelvic floor weakness and highlight key details that radiologists should provide surgeons to ensure effective treatment and improved outcomes.

Pelvic floor anatomy radiology. Conclusion in women with pelvic floor weakness pelvic mri with its superior soft tissue contrast resolution allows direct visualization of the pelvic organs. With advancing technology mri and 3d ultrasound techniques have increased our ability to detect pelvic floor defects and helped us gain insight into pathophysiology of pelvic floor disorders. The knowledge of pelvic floor anatomy and function is essential to effective imaging of pelvic floor defects. The pelvic floor is a musculofascial diaphragm inserted on the pelvic bones.

This is discussed in detail by using a global rather than a compartmentalized anatomic approach. Magnetic resonance imaging of pelvic floor relaxation. 28 fielding jr versi e mulkern rv lerner mh griffiths da jolesz fa. Imaging studies include colonic transit to assess bowel motility.

It closes and controls the pelvic outlet providing both static support to visceral organs opposing gravity and increased abdominal pressures and active closure of the urogenital hiatus permitting the emptying and. Whereas exact mechanisms of pelvic floor weakness are subject to debate established risk factors 2 4 include vaginal childbirth advancing age as pelvic floor weakness progresses with age and increasing body mass index potential risk factors include ethnicity most common among caucasian women followed by hispanic asian and afro caribbean women genetics higher incidence in some. Pelvic floor anatomy is complex and is being unraveled by means of magnetic resonance mr imaging. Dynamic analysis and evaluation of patients before and after surgical repair.

Compartmentalization of the pelvic floor has lead to different medical specialties looking at that specific compartment and paying less attention to the whole pelvic floor fig. 1 5 retropubic anatomy showing points of attachments of the atla and the atfp. The purpose of this article is to review the anatomy and etiology of pelvic floor weakness in women and to discuss the role of mri in the assessment of female pelvic floor dysfunction. Discuss the role of mr imaging espe cially dynamic sequences in the evalu ation and management of pelvic floor weakness.

Mr imaging of the female pelvic floor in the supine and upright positions. Symptoms such as obstructive defecation incontinence and sphincter complex disorders have a significant impact on patient lifestyle and physical mental well being 1 2. Pelvic floor imaging is an important part of both gastrointestinal and functional urology urogynaecological departments.