PURPOSE: Using magnetic resonance images we analyzed the relationship between urethral sphincter anatomy, urethral function and pelvic floor function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 103 women with stress incontinence and 108 asymptomatic continent controls underwent urethral profilometry, urethral axis measurement with a cotton swab, vaginal closure force measurement with an instrumented speculum and magnetic resonance imaging. Striated urogenital sphincter length was determined and its thickness was measured in the proximal sphincter, where its circular shape enables estimation of striated urogenital sphincter area. A length-area index was calculated as a proxy for volume. RESULTS: The striated urogenital sphincter in women with stress incontinence was 12.5% smaller than that in asymptomatic continent women (mean +/- SD length-area index 766.4 +/- 294.3 vs 876.2 +/- 407.3 mm(3), p = 0.04). The groups did not differ significantly in striated urogenital sphincter length (13.2 +/- 3.4 vs 13.7 +/- 3.9 mm, p = 0.40), thickness (2.83 +/- 0.8 vs 3.11 +/- 1.4 mm, p = 0.09) or area (59.1 +/- 18.4 vs 62.9 +/- 24.7 mm(2), p = 0.24). Striated urogenital sphincter length and area, and the length-area index were associated during voluntary pelvic muscle contraction with more urethral axis elevation and increased vaginal closure force augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: A smaller striated urogenital sphincter is associated with stress incontinence and poorer pelvic floor muscle function.
PURPOSE: Using magnetic resonance images we analyzed the relationship between urethral sphincter anatomy, urethral function and pelvic floor function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 103 women with stress incontinence and 108 asymptomatic continent controls underwent urethral profilometry, urethral axis measurement with a cotton swab, vaginal closure force measurement with an instrumented speculum and magnetic resonance imaging. Striated urogenital sphincter length was determined and its thickness was measured in the proximal sphincter, where its circular shape enables estimation of striated urogenital sphincter area. A length-area index was calculated as a proxy for volume. RESULTS: The striated urogenital sphincter in women with stress incontinence was 12.5% smaller than that in asymptomatic continent women (mean +/- SD length-area index 766.4 +/- 294.3 vs 876.2 +/- 407.3 mm(3), p = 0.04). The groups did not differ significantly in striated urogenital sphincter length (13.2 +/- 3.4 vs 13.7 +/- 3.9 mm, p = 0.40), thickness (2.83 +/- 0.8 vs 3.11 +/- 1.4 mm, p = 0.09) or area (59.1 +/- 18.4 vs 62.9 +/- 24.7 mm(2), p = 0.24). Striated urogenital sphincter length and area, and the length-area index were associated during voluntary pelvic muscle contraction with more urethral axis elevation and increased vaginal closure force augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: A smaller striated urogenital sphincter is associated with stress incontinence and poorer pelvic floor muscle function.
Authors: Daniele Perucchini; John O L DeLancey; James A Ashton-Miller; Andrzej Galecki; Gabriel N Schaer Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Daniele Perucchini; John O L DeLancey; James A Ashton-Miller; Ursula Peschers; Tripti Kataria Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Wolfgang H Umek; Rohna Kearney; Daniel M Morgan; James A Ashton-Miller; John O L DeLancey Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2003-11 Impact factor: 7.661
Authors: Ralf Tunn; John O l Delancey; Denise Howard; James A Ashton-Miller; Leslie E Quint Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2003-01 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: John O L DeLancey; Elisa R Trowbridge; Janis M Miller; Daniel M Morgan; Kenneth Guire; Dee E Fenner; William J Weadock; James A Ashton-Miller Journal: J Urol Date: 2008-04-18 Impact factor: 7.450