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Open Access 01-06-2011 | Magnetic Resonance

Feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with fibre tractography of the normal female pelvic floor

Authors: F. M. Zijta, M. Froeling, M. P. van der Paardt, M. M. E. Lakeman, S. Bipat, A. D. Montauban van Swijndregt, G. J. Strijkers, A. J. Nederveen, J. Stoker

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 6/2011

Abstract

Objectives

To prospectively determine the feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with fibre tractography as a tool for the three-dimensional (3D) visualisation of normal pelvic floor anatomy.

Methods

Five young female nulliparous subjects (mean age 28 ± 3 years) underwent DTI at 3.0T. Two-dimensional diffusion-weighted axial spin-echo echo-planar (SP-EPI) pulse sequence of the pelvic floor was performed, with additional T2-TSE multiplanar sequences for anatomical reference. Fibre tractography for visualisation of predefined pelvic floor and pelvic wall muscles was performed offline by two observers, applying a consensus method. Three eigenvalues (λ1, λ2, λ3), fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated from the fibre trajectories.

Results

In all subjects fibre tractography resulted in a satisfactory anatomical representation of the pubovisceral muscle, perineal body, anal - and urethral sphincter complex and internal obturator muscle. Mean FA values ranged from 0.23 ± 0.02 to 0.30 ± 0.04, MD values from 1.30 ± 0.08 to 1.73 ± 0.12 × 10⁻³ mm²/s. Muscular structures in the superficial layer of the pelvic floor could not be satisfactorily identified.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility of visualising the complex three-dimensional pelvic floor architecture using 3T-DTI with fibre tractography. DTI of the deep female pelvic floor may provide new insights into pelvic floor disorders.

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Title: Feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with fibre tractography of the normal female pelvic floor
Authors: F. M. Zijta
M. Froeling
M. P. van der Paardt
M. M. E. Lakeman
S. Bipat
A. D. Montauban van Swijndregt
G. J. Strijkers
A. J. Nederveen
J. Stoker
Publication date: 01-06-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 6/2011
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-2044-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with fibre tractography of the normal female pelvic floor

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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