Your pelvic region consists of muscles, ligaments, and bones at the lower parts of your trunk that are essential to several body functions. Your pelvic floor stretches between your spine and pubic bone within your pelvis, supporting organs like the uterus, prostate, rectum, and bladder. When discomfort, pain, or other dysfunction symptoms develop in your pelvic floor, you can use magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose and develop a treatment plan for your underlying health condition. At Los Angeles Diagnostics, our experts are certified and have been serving patients for many years. You can trust us to make your experience comfortable, effective, and efficient.
Introducing Dynamic Pelvic Floor MRI
Dynamic pelvic floor magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging method that uses magnetic fields, radio waves, and advanced computer 3D picture processing to provide detailed images of your pelvic floor. With the help of a contrasting agent, usually gadolinium, the scan can produce better images with additional details than other imaging methods. Moreover, the clarity of these images is realized without the use of radiation, making the procedure significantly safe.
Dynamic pelvic floor magnetic resonance imaging offers detailed images of the muscles that stretch between the spine and pubic bone, pelvic floor, and abdominal body organs it supports, such as the following compartments:
- Posterior compartment (rear), which includes your rectum
- Your middle compartment, together with your uterus, cervix, and vagina
- The anterior compartment (front), including your urethra and bladder
During the scan, images are acquired while you are squeezing or contracting your pelvic muscles and while your pelvic muscles are relaxed.
Typically, doctors use this scan to:
- Acquire details of your pelvic floor structure and how well your pelvic muscles are functioning
- Offer information for surgical procedure and treatment planning
- Determine which pelvis compartments are injured and help identify the pelvic muscle flaws
- Diagnose pelvic floor disorders (pelvic floor dysfunction), including:
- Prolapse (pelvic organs falling out of position)
- Tearing or stretching of your pelvic floor, which might result in pelvic pain, fecal incontinence, constipation, and urinary incontinence
How An MRI Equipment Looks Like
Traditional magnetic resonance imaging units have a cylindrical tube with a surrounding magnetic wall. Patients lie on a table that can be inserted and removed from the equipment automatically. Older scanners had ceilings that were too close to the patient's head and face, making it easy to feel claustrophobic during the scan. Modern MRI units have a larger bore and are more comfortable for patients, especially those with claustrophobia.
Open MRI units are open on one side and ideal for persons with claustrophobia and large body frame. While the open scanners were traditionally not as powerful as the conventional units, they now have improved accuracy. Thanks to technological advancements.
Short-bore MRI scanners are tailored not to have the magnetic fields surrounding the patient.
The unit also has a workstation from which the technologist controls the scanner while simultaneously monitoring the progress of the diagnostic process.
How MRI Works
MRI works on the water molecules in your body. Water molecules have hydrogen nuclei (protons) that are scattered and align in one direction when exposed to magnetic fields. When a patient enters the scanner, the magnet spins, applying approximately 03 to 3 teslas, and spins with the patient in it.
Moreover, the equipment produces a radio frequency that creates fluctuating magnetic fields that the protons absorb the energy and forsake the spin. Once the magnetic fields cease, the protons return to their normal spin patterns (procession). As this occurs, radio signals are produced and captured as the images you see on a computer. The images are layered on top of each other, giving your radiologist a good view of your body's inside that they can see from various angles.
Preparing for Your Dynamic Pelvic Floor MRI
There isn't much preparation essential before undergoing your dynamic pelvic floor MRI scan. You should put on comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with no metallic substances. Nevertheless, some radiologists will require that you put on a gown.
You should maintain your drinking and eating routine, provided it is healthy. However, sometimes the doctor might recommend a specific diet depending on the examinations.
Determining Whether You Have a Pre-Existing Health Condition
Before the diagnostic test, the medical profession will ask you about allergies to specific foods, drugs, contrast agents, or contrast material environments. If you are claustrophobic or suffer from any anxiety disorder, a technologist will administer a sedative before the scan.
It would be best if you also inform your doctor of your pre-existing health conditions. For instance, if you've previously suffered from kidney disease or undergone a lung transplant, further study might be needed to ensure the lung and kidney are functioning well.
The Risk Related to Medical Implants
You should also notify your technologist of any medical device installed in the body. The medical implants could interfere with your scan, although it's dependent on how strong the magnetic fields are and your medical examination's nature.
The radiologist should recognize the risk linked to the implanted device. As a result, ensure you carry with you a pamphlet. The details on your pamphlet help your doctor determine the degree of the risk and whether they could mitigate it. Common medical implants you should tell the medical expert about include:
- Artificial heart valves
- Implanted drug infusion port
- Implanted artificial limbs or joint prostheses
- Implanted nerve stimulator
- Implanted staples, stents, screws, or pins
A person with a medical implant can undergo a dynamic pelvic floor MRI efficiently and safely. However, you should not undergo a magnetic resonance imaging scan, let alone enter the examination if you have:
- Cardiac defibrillators or pacemakers
- Medical clip in your brain
- A metal coil in your blood vessels
- Cochlear/ear implants
Foreign Metallic Objects
It would help if you told your radiologist of foreign objects in the body, especially metallic. Some of these foreign materials include shrapnel, tooth fillings, and bullets.
The metal object might affect the scan, distorting your results. Additionally, the metallic object is vulnerable to move as a result of the powerful magnetic fields.
Your physician should determine the risk related to tattoos. A tattoo with iron-based (metal-based) inks might heat up after magnetic field exposure.
Additionally, it would help if you left the following at home or removed them before going into the examination room:
- Cellphone
- Dentures
- Eyeglasses
- Underwire bra
- Coins
- Credit cards
- Pens
- Metal zippers, pins, hairpins
- Pocket knives
- Tracking devices
- Body piercings
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Wig
Dynamic Pelvic Floor MRI and Pregnancy
Magnetic resonance imaging has previously been used on expectant mothers, and no reports of adverse effects on the women and the unborn babies have been reported. However, women shouldn't undergo the diagnostic scan in the first trimester of pregnancy. The rationale is reducing exposure of the fetus to powerful magnetic fields. On top of that, the technologist shouldn't administer gadolinium treatment to an expectant mother. Instead, they must conduct the scan only in situations where the pros of the medical test outweigh the disadvantages.
If you are concerned about getting MRI contrast, do not hesitate to bring it up with your radiologist. The decision to administer is always condition-specific, patient, and open for discussion.
After establishing the suitability for the scan, you will be injected with a contrast material that won't affect you. If you are allergic to the iodine-based contrast agent, gadolinium is an ideal alternative. If you are allergic to these contrast agents, pre-medication treatments permit gadolinium to be administered under your consent.
What to Expect During Your Scan
You'll be requested to remove clothing, hearing aids, jewelry, removable dental work, hairpins, and other metallic objects that can interfere with your scan. Then the medical expert will give you a gown to put on before escorting you to the examination room.
If you should have the scan conducted with contrasting material, the doctor will start an intravenous line (IV) in your arm or hand to inject the contrast agent. After the contrast agent's administration, you might experience coldness, a headache, nausea, vomiting, itching, a flushing sensation, and a metallic or salty taste in your mouth. Usually, these effects last for a couple of minutes.
The MRI equipment is a large plastic and metal doughnut with a bench that gradually slides the patient into the middle of the scanner. You will be safe around and in the machine provided you removed all metallic items and complied with your physician's instructions. You will lie on the table that slides into the scanner. The doctor might also give you a blanket or pillow to ensure you are more comfortable lying on this bench.
The scanner is air-conditioned and well-lit.
Your technician might place tiny coils around the pelvic region to boost your scan images' quality. A coil might require entering your rectum if the focus of the medical procedure is the rectum or prostate.
Your technologist will go to an adjacent room and control the bench's movement using a remote control. However, they can see you through a window. You can also communicate with them over a microphone. You can use the call button to let the technician know if you are okay during the scan.
From time to time, the technician might instruct you not to breathe or hold your breath for a while. They will then tell you when you should breathe.
During your scan, you will hear clicking noises. The noises are due to the creation of the magnetic fields and radio waves pulses being sent from the MRI equipment. You can wear a headset or earplugs to block out these noises.
It would help if you remained still during your dynamic pelvic floor examination. Movements can result in distortion, affecting your scan's quality. Listening to music using the headphones provided can assist you in remaining relaxed.
After the imaging process is done, the MRI table will slide out of the equipment, and your technician will assist you off the scanner.
If an IV line was used for contrast agent administration, the doctor would remove the line.
Although MRI is non-invasive, lying still for long can result in pain or discomfort, especially if you have a recent invasive procedure like surgery or injuries. Your technician will apply available comfort measures and conduct the medical process quickly to reduce any pain or discomfort.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
Generally, a dynamic pelvic floor takes between thirty and sixty minutes. The factors below play a significant role in determining the duration of your scan.
- The number of images — If several images are required for a comprehensive examination, the scan will take longer.
- The body part being scanned — The larger the body area the physician should scan, the longer the examination will take.
- Sedation — People who cannot remain still during their scans, such as claustrophobic individuals and children, might require sedation before the scan. Your technician can administer a sedative through an IV or orally.
What Occurs After Your MRI Scan?
It would help if you slowly got out of the scanner to avoid lightheadedness or dizziness from lying still throughout your medical procedure.
If the doctor administers any sedatives, you should rest until the sedative wears off. You should also have a loved one drive your home. Your physician should also monitor you for a while for reactions and side effects to the contrast agent.
You should immediately consult the physician if you notice redness, swelling, or pain at your IV site following returning home. It could be an indication of a reaction or an infection.
Otherwise, there isn't special care required following your scan. You can resume your daily routine and diet unless the medical doctor advises you otherwise. Depending on your situation, the technician might give an alternative or additional instructions following the examination.
How Long Does It Take to Get Your Dynamic Pelvic Floor MRI Results?
If your images are projected on film, it could take a few hours for your film to develop. Additionally, it will take time for your radiologist to analyze your images and interpret them. Modern MRI units display images on computers, allowing the physician to view and interpret them fast.
Preliminary results from your scan might be accessible within a couple of days, while comprehensive results could take a week or two.
Several factors may determine how fast you can get your dynamic pelvic floor MRI results. They include:
- Whether it is an emergency — A patient will receive their results faster if they underwent the scan as an emergency.
- The medical expert reading your MRI — Your radiologist will interpret your diagnostic test and then send the findings to the referring doctor. Your primary doctor might examine the magnetic resonance imaging and then make a conclusion and recommendation to you.
- The reason for having the scan — If you underwent the scan for cancer staging, treatment assessment, or diagnosis, numerous medical professionals might require analyzing and consulting concerning your results. If this is the case, it might take longer before receiving your results.
After your scan, the technician will transfer the images or inform your radiologist that your images are available through a secure technique. Then the radiologist will write a report of their findings. If the findings are potentially life-threatening, the radiologist will immediately advise your referring physician.
Your primary doctor will also view your images after receiving the report. If they disagree with the findings, they might seek out a second opinion.
The doctor will call you for a medical appointment to discuss the results and develop a treatment plan for the health condition diagnosed. If the results are normal, they might order additional tests to assist in diagnosing the root cause of your symptoms.
Limitations of a Dynamic Pelvic Floor Magnetic Resonance Imaging
High-quality images depend on the ability to stay still and adhere to the breath-holding guidelines while the technologist is recording your images. If you're in pain, confused, or anxious, lying still throughout your scan can be challenging.
Scanners have weight limits. That means an obese individual might not fit in specific types of units.
Very irregular heartbeats might affect your images' quality. It is because some methods time the imaging based on your heart's electrical activity.
While all muscles are seen on the scan, only a few ligaments are visible. Radiologists use muscle findings and results to conclude about ligaments tears.
What is the Difference Between an MRI and X-ray?
If you have pelvic floor pain, you might be wondering whether you should undergo imaging to identify the underlying issue. How do you know if you require an x-ray or MRI? What is their difference?
X-Rays
X-ray imaging creates images of the inside of the body. The pictures show different body parts in various shades of black and white.
Various tissues absorb different levels of radiation. Soft tissues and fat absorb fewer x-rays and look gray. On the other hand, calcium absorbs the most, and bones are white.
X-rays are commonly used to discover biomechanical challenges, tumors, pathologies, infections, and bone degeneration.
The imaging procedure uses low-dose ionizing radiation and can pose a risk to your healthy tissues. An x-ray exposes patients to the same amount of radiation they would experience in a typical environment in ten days.
MRI
MRI uses powerful magnetic and non-ionizing radio waves to examine your body structures and organs. Your health care professional can also use a dynamic pelvic floor MRI to visualize your soft tissues effectively.
While the process is safe, it might not be appropriate for a patient with:
- Metal implants
- Claustrophobia
- Metallic pieces in the body
Determining the Best Imaging Procedure for You
You are a partner in your healthcare decision. The most effective diagnostic method depends on your symptoms and the underlying health condition. Thorough analysis is the initial step to determining if your ailment is pathological, biomechanical, or anatomical. Your doctor can explain and guide you to the imaging procedure that is medically appropriate and the best for your disease or injury.
Find a Seasoned Los Angeles Diagnostic Facility Near Me
MRI has significantly boosted the accuracy of diagnostic imaging in structures like the pelvic floor. You aren't exposed to radiation with the dynamic pelvic floor MRI. Instead, powerful magnetic fields, a computer system, and radio waves create your images. These precise images are instrumental in diagnosing and treating your health condition. At Los Angeles Diagnostics, our radiologist can work closely with your primary doctor to offer accurate and prompt diagnostic imaging. We focus only on diagnostic imaging, and our team is experienced and trained to provide the best healthcare possible.
Are you concerned about our MRI services or an imaging test prescribed by the doctor? Our radiologist will be glad to assist. Be sure to contact us at 323-486-7502 for help or to book your medical appointment.
