Lk. Carr et al., MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING AFTER INTRAURETHRAL COLLAGEN INJECTED FOR STRESS URINARY-INCONTINENCE, The Journal of urology, 155(4), 1996, pp. 1253-1255
Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to evaluate th
e results of intraurethral collagen injected for stress urinary incont
inence. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 women underwent MRI of th
e pelvis at a median of 12 months after the last injection. The appear
ance, volume and position of the intraurethral collagen were assessed
by 1 radiologist blinded to the outcome, and these findings were compa
red to clinical data to identify predictive features of success. Resul
ts: Intraurethral collagen was easily imaged by MRI and appeared as a
hyperintense focus within the wall of the urethra. Neither volume nor
position of retained intraurethral collagen was predictive of clinical
outcome (p = 0.80 and p = 0.32, respectively). The volume of injected
intraurethral collagen strongly correlated with the retained volume i
n clinically successful and failed cases (Pearson's r = 0.64 and r = 0
.90, respectively). No evidence of local or remote pathological condit
ions resulting from intraurethral collagen injection was identified. C
onclusions: The position and volume of intraurethral collagen were not
predictive of clinical outcome. While MRI is not recommended for rout
ine investigation, it is an excellent research modality for assessing
the fate of intraurethral collagen injection.