Source: DGNews  |  Posted 2 years ago

RESTON, Va -- November 20, 2009 -- In women with lower urinary tract symptoms,
dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows clinicians to diagnose pelvic
organ prolapse, according to a study published in the December issue of the
American Journal of Roentgenology.

If left untreated, living with pelvic prolapse can be a challenge, both
physically and emotionally, as the symptoms can disrupt day-to-day life. The
condition often goes undiagnosed on static MRI and at physical examination

The study, performed at New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center, New
York, New York, included 84 women with lower urinary tract symptoms who
underwent dynamic and static MRI scans for a suspected urethra abnormality.

Of the patients, 10 were found to have an abnormality of the urethra. “However
33 patients were diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse, of whom 29 were
diagnosed exclusively on dynamic imaging,” said lead author Genevieve L.
Bennett, MD, NYU Langone Medical Center.

“Dynamic imaging allows for the detection of pelvic organ prolapse, which may
not be evident at rest but only detected when the woman strains,” said Dr.
Bennett.

“The results of our study show that in women with lower urinary tract symptoms
who undergo MRI for evaluation of a suspected urethra abnormality, the addition
of dynamic MRI permits detection of pelvic organ prolapse that may not be
evident on static at rest images and that may also go undetected at physical
examination,” she said.

SOURCE: American Journal of Roentgenology