Association between voiding lower urinary tract symptoms and findings on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging with regard to pelvic organs and their supportive structures

Objectives

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) causes voiding lower urinary tract symptoms (vLUTS). In the present study, we investigated the association between vLUTS and pelvic organ mobility (POM), including relevant supportive structures, on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI).

Methods

We included 118 patients who had POP of stage II or less before straining and stage III or more when straining during dMRI. The presence of vLUTS and overactive bladder (OAB) was determined by a voiding subscore of the International Prostate Symptom Score (vIPSS) ≥5 and the OAB symptom score, respectively. POM was measured by dMRI before and during straining, and patients with and without vLUTS as well as patients with and without vLUTS and/or OAB were compared. p < .05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

According to vIPSS, 42 patients (35.6%) had vLUTS. On dMRI, patients with vLUTS showed a significantly more ventral position and/or movement of the bladder and cervix. Moreover, patients with vLUTS and OAB had significantly more ventral movement of the uterine cervix and a larger strain on imaginary uterosacral and cardinal ligaments than those without these symptoms. In addition, patients with vLUTS and OAB had significantly higher vIPSS than those with vLUTS alone.

Conclusions

vLUTS may be associated with the proximity of the bladder and cervix to the pubic bone and consequent compression of the urethra by the prolapsed organs. vLUTS with OAB might indicate more advanced lower urinary tract dysfunction than vLUTS alone.