Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Levator ani injury

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Evaluation of Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in understanding the anatomy of the pelvic floor and levator ani muscle (LAM) injury. (EDIT study)

• IRAS ID

  201542

• Contact name

  Abdul Sultan

• Contact email

  abdulsultan@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  Croydon Health Services

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  201542, IRAS

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 2 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  The anatomy of the female pelvis is very complex and still not fully understood. It consists of the last parts of the urinary (bladder and urethra), genital (uterus and vagina) and digestive systems (rectum) which are supported by specialised muscles and ligaments, which are altogether called pelvic floor. The main and largest muscle of pelvic floor is levator ani muscle. Any defect of this muscle can result in pelvic floor dysfunction, which may manifest as pelvic organ prolapse (bulging into the vagina), incontinence to urine or faeces, pelvic pain or chronic constipation. Clinical examination is often not sufficient in diagnosing defect of the levator ani muscle and various imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound have to be involved. The advances in these imaging modalities allow us to assess even tiny structures of the female pelvis.
  Novel MRI technique- Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) describes the direction of a minute structures, such as nerve fibres and is used mainly in brain imaging, however preliminary results of its use in other organs are promising. In our study we will be using this MRI technique and ultrasound scan with a probe which will be placed in the vagina to have a closer look at the pelvic floor structures. We would like to assess if this new imaging technique- MRI DTI can provide an additional information about the anatomy of the pelvic floor and levator ani muscle in particular.

• REC name

  London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/LO/0808

• Date of REC Opinion

  31 May 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion