Dynamic MRI of the Behaviour of Female Pelvic Floor

Traditional methods for evaluation of urinary incontinence in women include urodynamics, cystourethroscopy, cystourethrography and ultrasonography.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a new tool for evaluation of morphology and function of the urogenital compartment of the female pelvis. Moreover, MRI gives opportunity to study function of the pelvic floor organs in terms of mobility and reactions during different physiological and provocative activities. The aim of the present study was by means of dynamic MRI to evaluate the behaviour of the mid-urethra, bladder neck, cervix and rectum in different maneuvers in three different study groups. Sixteen healthy volunteers with no complaints of urinary symptoms or urogenital prolapses, 42 stress urinary incontinence patients and 16 women with third degree genital prolapse were examined respectively.