Objective-The purpose of this study was to determine whether the degree of anterior compartment (bladder) and apical compartment (cervix) prolapse are correlated, and whether 2 anterior compartment elements (urethra and bladder) are related at maximal Valsalva.Study design-Women with a complete spectrum of pelvic support were recruited for a pelvic support study. Dynamic magnetic resonance scans were taken during Valsalva. A convenience sample of 153 women with a mean age of 53.3 ± 12.5 (SD) years with a uterus in situ was studied. Anterior compartment status was assessed by the most caudal bladder point and the internal urinary meatus. The external cervical os was used to assess the apical compartment. The position of the bladder, urethra, and uterus were determined in 20 nulliparous women to determine their reference locations. The distances of each structure below the reference positions were calculated at maximum Valsalva.Results-Average distances of the bladder base, urethra, and uterus from the reference positions at maximal Valsalva were 4.1 ± 2.4 cm, 3.1 ± 1.3 cm, and 4.3 ± 2.4 cm, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient of the relationship between the bladder base and uterine distances was r = 0.73 (r 2 = 0.53). The Pearson correlation coefficient of the bladder distance and urethral distance was r = 0.82 (r 2 = 0.67).Conclusion-Half of the observed variation in anterior compartment support may be explained by apical support. KeywordsPelvic organ prolapse; MRI; Cystocele; Uterine prolapse; Biomechanics Pelvic organ prolapse is a distressing and debilitating condition for women. It requires surgery in approximately 200,000 American women each year, 1 making it the pelvic floor disorder most often requiring surgical repair.There are many different combinations of support defects in women who have pelvic organ prolapse. They can involve the anterior compartment, the posterior compartment, or the apical segment. The nature of these problems relates to the structural supports of the vagina and uterus

The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between midsagittal vaginal wall geometric parameters and the degree of anterior vaginal prolapse. We have previously presented data indicating that about half of anterior wall descent can be explained by the degree of apical descent present (Summers et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol, 194:1438−1443, 2006. This led us to examine whether other midsagittal vaginal geometric parameters are associated with anterior wall descent. Magnetic resonance (MR) scans of 145 women from the prior study were suitable for analysis after eight were excluded because of inadequate visibility of the anterior vaginal wall. Subjects had been selected from a study of pelvic organ prolapse that included women with and without prolapse. All patients underwent supine dynamic MR scans in the midsagittal plane. Anterior vaginal wall length, location of distal vaginal wall point, and the area under the midsagittal profile of the anterior vaginal wall were measured during maximal Valsalva. A linear regression model was used to examine how much of the variance in cystocele size could be explained by these vaginal parameters. When both apical descent and vaginal length were considered in the linear regression model, 77% (R 2 =0.77, p<0.001) of the variation in anterior wall descent was explained. Distal vaginal point and a measure anterior wall shape, the area under the profile of the anterior vaginal wall, added little to the model. Increasing vaginal length was positively correlated with greater degrees of anterior vaginal prolapse during maximal Valsalva (R 2 =0.30, p<0.01) determining 30% of the variation in anterior wall decent. Greater degrees of anterior vaginal prolapse are associated with a longer vaginal wall. Linear regression modeling suggests that 77% of anterior wall descent can be explained by apical descent and midsagittal anterior vaginal wall length.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the levator plate is (1) horizontal in women with normal support, (2) different between women with and without prolapse, (3) related to levator hiatus and perineal body descent. Study design:Cohorts of cases with prolapse at least 1 cm below the hymen and normal controls with all points 1 cm or more above the hymen were prospectively enrolled in a study of pelvic organ support to be of similar age, race, and parity. Subjects underwent supine midsagittal dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during Valsalva. Levator plate angle (LPA) was measured relative to a horizontal reference line. Levator hiatus length (LH) and perineal body location (PB) were also measured. Student t tests and Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were performed.Results: Sixty-eight controls and 74 cases were analyzed. During Valsalva, controls had a mean LPA of 44.3(. Cases, compared to controls, had 9.1((21%) more caudally directed LPA (53.4(vs 44.3(, P<.01), 15% larger LH length (7.8 cm vs 6.8 cm, P<.01), and 24% more caudal PB location (6.8 cm vs 5.5 cm, P<.01). Increases in LPA were correlated with increased LH length (r = 0.42, P<.0001) and PB location (r =.51, P<.0001). Conclusion:The measured levator plate angle in women with normal support is 44.3(.During Valsalva, women with prolapse have a modest (9.1() though statistically greater levator plate angle compared to controls. This larger angle showed moderate correlation with larger levator hiatus length and greater displacement of the perineal body in women with prolapse compared to controls.

Objective Compare bony pelvis dimensions at the level of pelvic support in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Study Design Pelvic floor dimensions of 42 Caucasian women with POP ≥ 1cm beyond the hymen were compared to 42 age and parity-matched women with normal support. Bony landmarks relevant to connective tissue and levator attachments were identified on MRI. Dimensions were independently measured by two examiners and averaged for each subject. Results Measurements (cms) for cases and controls are as follows: Interspinous Diameter, 11.2±0.8 vs. 11.1±0.7, p=0.19; Anterior-Posterior Outlet Diameter, 11.7±0.7 vs. 11.7±0.8, p=0.71; Pubic Symphysis to Ischial Spine - Left, 9.5±0.5 vs. 9.5±0.4, p=0.91; -Right, 9.5±0.4 vs. 9.5±0.5, p=0.81; Sacrococcygeal junction to Ischial Spine - Left, 7.0±0.6 vs. 7.0±0.5, p=0.54; - Right, 7.0±0.6 vs. 6.9±0.4, p=0.32. Conclusion Bony pelvis dimensions are similar at the level of the muscular pelvic floor in Caucasian women with and without POP.

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