Multimodality Imaging of Anterior Compartment Pelvic Floor Repair

Radiographics. 2023 Aug;43(8):e230032. doi: 10.1148/rg.230032.

Abstract

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are two common disorders that affect the anterior compartment of the pelvic floor in women. These can be treated conservatively or surgically. Among patients treated surgically, a substantial number present with pain, recurrent POP or SUI, or other conditions that warrant additional interventions. In many of these cases, imaging is key to identifying and characterizing the type of procedure performed, locating synthetic materials that may have been placed, and characterizing complications. Imaging may be particularly helpful when prior surgical records are not available or a comprehensive physical examination is not possible. US and MRI are the most commonly used modalities for such patients, although radiopaque surgical materials may be visible at voiding cystourethrography and CT. The authors summarize commonly used surgical treatment options for patients with SUI and POP, review imaging techniques for evaluation of such patients, and describe the normal imaging appearance and complications of pelvic floor surgical repair procedures in the anterior compartment of the pelvis. ©RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Pelvic Floor / diagnostic imaging
  • Pelvic Floor / surgery
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse* / surgery
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures*
  • Urinary Incontinence, Stress* / complications
  • Urinary Incontinence, Stress* / diagnostic imaging
  • Urinary Incontinence, Stress* / surgery