Pelvic Floor Relaxation

Abstract

Pelvic floor relaxation–abnormal descent of the bladder (cystocele), uterus and/or vagina (uterine or vaginal vault prolapse), small bowel (enterocele), or rectum (rectocele), is a significant women’s health issue affecting primarily parous women >50 years of age. Up to 50% of such women have some degree of genital prolapse. Symptoms are present in 10% to 20% of this group and most commonly include pelvic pressure, protrusion of tissue through the pelvic floor and urinary incontinence. In addition to age, risk factors include multiparity, menopause, and obesity. The purpose of this work is to describe a technique for production and review of MR images that can be used to quickly and accurately identify significant pelvic floor defects as an aid to treatment planning (Gold et al., 1999; Fielding et al., 2000).