MR Imaging of the Pelvic Floor

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a term used to describe a broad set of conditions including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary or fecal incontinence, defecatory dysfunction, and chronic pelvic pain that frequently affects multiple compartments of the pelvic floor. Imaging is important, because physical examination may not be adequate as the only means of evaluating pelvic floor disorders. This article reviews pertinent pelvic floor anatomy as well as the technique for performing, interpreting, and reporting abnormalities seen on MR defecography examinations in the anterior, middle, and posterior compartments.