Purpose. The following article is designed to describe the diagnostics and
therapy of morphological and functional defects in the female pelvic door f
rom a gynaecological point of view. Assessment of the relevance of imaging
techniques is of particular importance.
Material and methods. The main diagnoses are:in the anterior compartment of
the pelvic floor, urethro-cystocele; in the middle compartment, uterine de
scent/prolapse or enterocele; and in the posterior compartment, rectocele.
They are clinically examined by means of a standardised gynaecological exam
ination and classified according to recommendations from the international
Continence Society (ICS) in order to obtain internationally comparable resu
lts. Comparison with the usual imaging procedures (introitus- and perineal
sonography, colpocysto-rectography/defaecography and functional MRI of the
pelvic floor) are described and critically discussed. The most important fu
nctions affected are storage and evacuation of the bladder and rectum. They
are clinically examined by means of stress test and pad-weigh test and tec
hnically examined using urodynamics, sphincter-rectum manometry and EMG. Im
aging procedures play a very important role here also.
Results. Comparison of clinical and imaging procedures shows that the two m
ethods are at present limited in comparability, mainly because different po
ints of reference are used to quantify results. The line of the hymen is a
good point of reference in grading descent and prolapse. During the gynaeco
logical examination,the three compartments can readily be assessed separate
ly by use of split gynaecological specula. This is presently practically im
possible using imaging procedures. The pubococcygeal line is generally used
to describe findings.
Discussion. Scientific progress can only be expected if and when these prob
lems are studied as a whole. Imaging procedures have securely established t
hemselves in the diagnostic repertoire, but do not as yet influence therapy
decisions. The indication and choice of operation depend on the severity o
f the patient's symptoms the clinical findings and the results of urodynami
c investigations. Dynamic CTG is presently the most reliable method of show
ing all three compartments at rest and during function. It has largely repl
aced colpocystorectography. Sonography is found to be varied in ist results
at the moment.