The Contribution of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Pelvic Floor to the Understanding of Urinary Incontinence

Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 1993 papers

Abstract

The anatomy of urinary incontinence and the underlying pathology is still under discussion. We examined 24 stress incontinent patients and 6 healthy volunteers. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) clearly shows that the urethra is not connected to the levator ani. The urethra is not fixed to deep perineal muscle layers. In stress incontinence the sharp angulation of the levator ani of healthy volunteers is lost in 65%. MRI shows degeneration of the levator ani muscle in 45% of stress incontinent patients. The extent of damage to the levator can clearly be identified with the aid of MRI.

Related Papers

• → Magnetic Resonance‐Based Female Pelvic Anatomy as Relevant for Maternal Childbirth Injury Simulations(2007)25 cited
• → Various significant connections of the male pelvic floor muscles with special reference to the anal and urethral sphincter muscles(2019)21 cited
• → Twisted orientation of the muscle bundles in the levator ani functional parts in women: Implications for pelvic floor support mechanism(2023)15 cited
• → Diagnostic Accuracy and Clinical Implications of Translabial Ultrasound for the Assessment of Levator Ani Defects and Levator Ani Biometry in Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Systematic Review(2017)33 cited
• Research progresses of pelvic floor ultrasonography on valuation of female levator ani(2013)