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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics

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Open Access 01-08-2016 | General Gynecology

MRI changes of pelvic floor and pubic bone observed in primiparous women after childbirth by normal vaginal delivery

Authors: Minghai Shi, Shiyao Shang, Bing Xie, Jianliu Wang, Bin Hu, Xueying Sun, Jin Wu, Nan Hong

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 2/2016

Abstract

Objective

To identify and characterize changes in the pelvic floor and pubic bone, using magnetic resonance imaging, in primiparous women with normal vaginal delivery, in comparison with nulliparous women.

Methods

Pelvic MR images from ten primiparous women, 6–7 weeks after normal vaginal delivery, and ten nulliparous women were obtained from January to April 2014. The selected women were scanned using a multiplanar T2FRFSE sequence and T2fsFRFSE sequence. Changes in the pelvic floor and pubic bone in primiparous women, including tears of the levator ani fibers, pubic bone edema, and fractures, were assessed on the MR images in comparison with images from normal nulliparous women. Injury to the levator ani was evaluated and scored. The incidence, location and the extent of injury to the levator ani and pubic bone were characterized further.

Results

Eight out of ten primiparous women had imaging abnormalities after normal vaginal delivery. Three women had unilateral tears of the pubococcygeus, in which the defect in the muscle was located at or near its origin at the pubic bone, and one had a pubococcygeus tear accompanied by bilateral spilling of the vagina. Four women had partial tears of the iliococcygeus: one was a bilateral tear, and three were unilateral. None had a tear of the coccygeus. Eight women had pubic bone marrow edema; one was accompanied by a pubic bone fracture line. None of the nulliparous women had any abnormality of the pelvic floor and pubic bone.

Conclusion

Abnormalities of the pelvic floor and pubic bone were observed in primiparous women but not in nulliparous women. In primiparous women, most levator ani muscle tears are at or near the point of origin, and pubococcygeus injuries are usually accompanied by pubic bone marrow edema.

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Title: MRI changes of pelvic floor and pubic bone observed in primiparous women after childbirth by normal vaginal delivery
Authors: Minghai Shi
Shiyao Shang
Bing Xie
Jianliu Wang
Bin Hu
Xueying Sun
Jin Wu
Nan Hong
Publication date: 01-08-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4023-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

MRI changes of pelvic floor and pubic bone observed in primiparous women after childbirth by normal vaginal delivery

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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