Pregnancy and labor after TVT-plasty.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Tunn.
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AIM: To give recommendations for the standard diagnostic assessment of urethral diverticula and periurethral masses based on an evaluation of our results and a survey of the recent literature. METHODS: Group I (1981-1993) included 47 women in whom urethral diverticula (n = 34), periurethral cysts (n = 11), and periurethral leiomyomas (n = 2) were diagnosed and the results compared with the intraoperative findings. Diagnostic work-up comprised history taking, vaginal palpation, introitus ultrasound, double-balloon urethrography (DBU), voiding cystourethroscopy (VCU), excretion urography (EU), and urethrocystoscopy. Group II (1994-1996) included 12 women with urethral diverticula who were examined by DBU, 2D and 3D introitus ultrasound. The diagnostic accuracy of the different methods was assessed. RESULTS: Group I: The diagnostic accuracy in identifying urethral diverticula was 85.3% for palpation, 61.5% for introitus ultrasound, 93.8% for DBU, 37.5% for EU, and 30.0% for urethrocystoscopy. Of all imaging modalities used, only introitus ultrasound depicted periurethral cysts and leiomyomas. Group II: The DBU, 2D and 3D introitus ultrasound had a diagnostic accuracy of 100% in identifying urethral diverticula. CONCLUSIONS: Introitus ultrasound should be used as the basic diagnostic tool in clinically suspected urethral diverticula or periurethral masses and additional DBU should be restricted to cases with inconclusive findings.
PURPOSE: To detect pathomorphological changes of the pelvic floor, the vagina, and the urethra by MR imaging in patients with stress urinary incontinence in the absence of organ descent compared with findings in 10 healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 10 healthy controls and 38 patients with stage II urinary incontinence showing no urge symptoms but a pathological stress profile on urodynamic testing. The subjects underwent MR imaging with a phased-array coil at 1.5 T in addition to urodynamic testing and gynecological examination. The following sequences were used: axial and coronal PD-weighted TSE sequences with a FOV of 20 cm and a section thickness of 4 mm; axial STIR sequence. Sagittal T2-weighted HASTE sequences were acquired during pelvic floor contraction, relaxation, and straining maneuvers. RESULTS: In 22/38 cases pathomorphological changes were found by MR imaging. The pathomorphological changes were classified as lateral defects (n = 14) if the musculofascial connection between the levator muscle and the lateral vaginal wall or the butterfly shape of the vagina was absent and as central (n = 16) if changes were detected in the urethral wall. Defects of the pelvic floor muscles were detected in 8 cases. No underlying changes were identified in 16/38 cases. CONCLUSION: In cases of female urinary incontinence, MR imaging of the pelvic floor can detect pathomorphological changes, which are difficult to identify by clinical examination. MR imaging currently does not allow the detection of morphological changes in all forms of female urinary stress incontinence.
Data input in web-htm-forms with a browser is much more efficient in comparison with write in paper mask documents. The specification-compliant forms for data entry as htm-forms are downloaded from the homepage of the project manager by the participants of the study. The transformation of content of different formatted htm-forms is made by the program "security-based form converter (SFC)", which is located on a web server respectively a proxy server. From there the transformed data are returned the project manager via e-mail. Those incoming data are imported into databases by means of ODBC-data source. The data are pivoted from sequential format to table format. The data entry principle presented here is a client-server-structured, web based intranet program. For this purpose only standard software and relational databases with ODBC-interfaces are used; no further registered commercial programs are needed. General data protection is ensured by encrypted data transmission.
Morphologic assessment for diagnosing urogynecologic disorders is done as part of the gynecologic examination and urogenital ultrasound with the equipment available in the gynecologist's office. Evaluation of the pelvic floor by separate palpation of both sides, assessment of contractility, testing of speculum elevation, and ultrasound examination of voluntary motor function by elevation of the bladder neck during muscle contraction provide adequate information on the pelvic floor status for initiating pelvic floor re-education and/or conditioning. In assessing prolapse, differentiation of a lateral defect from a central defect of the anterior compartment is an important prerequisite for surgical decision-making in stress urinary incontinence (colposuspension versus TVT-plasty) and urogenital prolapse (abdominal versus vaginal access). Introitus or perineal ultrasound allow for reliable assessment of the topography of the bladder neck and will also demonstrate morphologic changes of the urethra, the periurethral tissue, and the bladder. - Radiographic examinations (e. g., excretory urography, double-balloon urethrography, micturition cystourethrography, retro- and antegrade depiction of fistulae) are not part of the basic diagnostic work-up and should only be performed in the framework of specific urogynecologic assessment. These procedures are indicated for assessing the upper urinary tract, for confirming the diagnosis of urethral diverticulae, and for clarifying extraurethral urinary incontinence. - Magnetic resonance imaging allows for the detailed morphologic assessment of the levator ani muscle, the endopelvic fascia, and the urethra. However, since normal values for comparison have not yet been established and the examination is complicated and expensive, the use of MRI is still restricted to scientific investigations.
In the last 100 years many different theories have tried to explain the symptoms and causes of urinary incontinence in the female. Urinary incontinence is a debilitating condition and not only leads to medical problems and costs, but is associated with embarrassment that can lead to isolation and loss of independence. Women with stress urinary incontinence can have both urethral support loss and decreased urethral function. Aging and delivery can lead to multiple damages which can be manifest either as loss of support with symptoms of prolaps or incontinence. This paper provides an overview of the functional anatomy of the structures responsible for controlling urinary continence under stress and discusses some of the theories on incontinence.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine which elements of the pelvic organ support system are visible on magnetic resonance imaging performed without an endovaginal coil. STUDY DESIGN: Proton density-weighted pelvic magnetic resonance images were obtained for 20 healthy continent nulliparous women with a mean (+/-SD) age of 30.1 +/- 5.1 years (range, 22-42 years). Standardized analyses of transverse, coronal, and sagittal key images were carried out to describe pelvic organ support system anatomy. RESULTS: Details of both the muscular and fascial supports were clearly seen. The endopelvic fascia was visible on transverse images and could be seen to laterally attach the proximal vagina to the pelvic wall. Its appearance was consistent with its composition of a network of connective tissue, vessels, and nerves. The upward, lateral, and dorsal direction of its most cephalic suspending fibers was visible on both transverse and coronal images. The different nature of the uterosacral ligament relative to the cardinal ligaments was also demonstrated in transverse images. The endopelvic fascia's attachment to the pelvic walls was visible in the midvagina. The 3 parts of the levator ani muscle were likewise visible-the pubococcygeus, puborectalis, and iliococcygeus. Fusion of the levator ani muscle and the vagina at the level of the middle urethra could be recognized on transverse and coronal images. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance imaging depicted structures of the pelvic organ supports, including the endopelvic fascia and pelvic floor muscles, without the need for an endovaginal coil.
Leiomyomas most frequently occur in the genitourinary and gastrointestinal system. This report discusses clinical and pathologic findings of 2 leiomyomas in the pubovesical space, a location that has not been described before. Different operative approaches were used for excision. Immunohistochemical examination for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors was performed.
In the diagnostic work-up of vaginal prolapse after hysterectomy cystoceles can be identified by sonography, whereas enteroceles and rectoceles can only be suspected in a routine clinical setting. The present pilot study was undertaken to investigate the diagnostic role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the differentiation of cysto-, entero- and rectoceles in women with posthysterectomy vaginal prolapse. Thirteen women (mean age 61, SD +/- 7 years) with posthysterectomy vaginal prolapse underwent MRI (Gyroscan S 15, Philips). A median sagittal image series was obtained with a gradient-echo sequence, fast field echo, both at rest and during Valsalva maneuvers. MRI allowed the identification of cysto-, entero- and rectoceles, and differentiation between entero- and rectoceles in cases with inconclusive clinical findings. These findings make dissection more reliable and improve the outcome of hernia repair. No additional diagnostic information is obtained with MRI compared to ultrasound in the assessment of cystoceles.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the structure and function of the urethral sphincter and the urethral support in nulliparous black and white women. METHODS: Eighteen black women (mean age 28.1 years) and 17 white women (mean age 31.3 years) completed this cross-sectional study. The following assessments were made: urethral function using multichannel cystometrics and urethral pressure profilometry, pelvic muscle strength using an instrumented speculum, urethral mobility using the cotton-swab test and perineal ultrasound, and pelvic muscle bulk using magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Black women demonstrated a 29% higher average urethral closure pressure during a maximum pelvic muscle contraction (154 cm H(2)O versus 119 cm H(2)O in the white subjects; P =.008). Although not statistically significant, black women had a 14% higher maximum urethral closure pressure at rest (108 cm H(2)O versus 95 cm H(2)O; P =.23) and a 21% larger urethral volume (4818 mm(3) versus 3977 mm(3); P =.06). In addition, there was a 36% greater vesical neck mobility measured with the cotton-swab test (blacks 49 degrees versus whites 36 degrees; P =.02) and a 42% difference in ultrasonically measured vesical neck mobility during a maximum Valsalva effort (blacks = -17 mm versus whites -12 mm; P =.08). CONCLUSION: Functional and morphologic differences exist in the urethral sphincteric and support system of nulliparous black and white women.
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Our aim was to quantify the changes that occur in the levator ani muscles (LA) after vaginal delivery using magnetic resonance imaging. Fourteen women underwent MRI 1 day postpartum. Six of them were also scanned 1, 2, 6 weeks and 6 months after delivery. LA signal intensities and thickness, in areas of the urogenital and the levator hiatus were assessed in the transverse plane. Perineal body position was measured in the sagittal plane. One day postpartum a higher T2-signal intensity of the LA compared to the obturator internus muscle was found in all women and a lower T1-signal intensity in 8 of 12 women. By 6 months these differences were present in only 1 woman in the left LA. An elevation in perineal body position of 13.4 +/- 7.3 mm (P < 0.05), as well as a decrease in the area of the urogenital hiatus by 27% (P<0.05) and of the levator hiatus by 22% (P < 0.05) by 2 weeks postpartum suggest a return of normal LA geometry. LA thickness showed interindividual variations, and a complete loss of LA tissue was found in 1 woman. Changes in LA signal intensity, topography and thickness during the puerperium can be documented using MR imaging.
In a study, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 69 women were analyzed to define the typical MRI appearance of the pelvic floor musculature in healthy subjects (n = 20) and women with urinary incontinence (UI) and/or genitourinary prolapse (GP) (n = 49). The following parameters were determined: thickness and signal intensity of the levator muscles on each side, distance between the urethra and symphysis, diameter of the proximal urethra, and thickness and configuration of the anterior vaginal wall. These parameters were correlated with the patients' age and parity, urodynamic parameters, and the clinical assessment of the pelvic floor. In contrast to healthy subjects, the frequent findings in women with UI and/or GP are higher signal intensity of the levator muscles (p < 0.05) and loss of the hammock-like configuration of the vagina (p < 0.01). On static MRI, the morphometry of the levator musculature identified no findings typical of either UI or GP. Analysis of MRI combined with patients' parity suggests that the severity of damage to the pelvic floor at delivery is determined by the traumatic event as such and not by the number of deliveries. Urethral diameter, distance of the symphysis to the urethra, and vaginal wall thickness cannot distinguish between controls and women with UI and/or GP. Urodynamic and functional clinical parameters do not correlate with the changes in the pelvic floor musculature demonstrated by static MRI. Although morphological changes in UI and/or GP can be demonstrated by MRI, they can be assigned a pathogenic role only if clinical symptoms are present.
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Success of urinary incontinence surgery so far depended primarily on the intensity and quality of preoperative diagnosis, the resulting choice of techniques, suture material, and the surgeon's skills. The role played by tissue available from the patient herself, however, had not been adequately considered, although such an assessment would have been of major relevance to all methods using autogenic tissue. Preliminary histological-histochemical and morphometric investigations of pubococcygeal muscles of ten patients revealed unambiguous right-left differences with regard to muscle quality and fibre typing, mean cross-section area of muscle fibres, and connective tissue response up to degeneration and also concerning replacement of striated muscles by smooth muscles. Further studies into collagen metabolism are likely to enable more reliable prognosis of operations for urinary incontinence.