PERIURETHRAL AND PARAVAGINAL ANATOMY - AN ENDOVAGINAL MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING STUDY

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.