Mp. Aronson et al., PERIURETHRAL AND PARAVAGINAL ANATOMY - AN ENDOVAGINAL MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING STUDY, American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 173(6), 1995, pp. 1702-1710
OBJECTIVE: Endoluminal and phased-array coil techniques both improve t
he resolution of magnetic resonance imaging. This descriptive study co
mbined these techniques to image the female periurethral and paravagin
al anatomy. STUDY DESIGN: Four continent nulliparous women and four in
continent women with bladder neck descent or paravaginal support defec
ts were studied with a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging unit by use of
a vaginally placed endoluminal coil coupled to a pelvic phased-array
coil. RESULTS: The posterior pubourethral ligaments and paravaginal at
tachments were effectively imaged. Images correlated with clinically a
ppreciated paravaginal defects. A trend toward doubling of the volume
of the retropubic space was seen in the incontinent group compared wit
h the continent group. Distances from the posterior symphysis to the a
nterior vaginal wall were not significantly different between groups.
CONCLUSION: An endovaginally placed colon coil coupled to a pelvic pha
sed-array coil allows detailed magnetic resonance imaging of the periu
rethral and paravaginal anatomy.