Investigation of pelvic floor disorders

Abstract

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) are a common and complex problem encompassing a broad spectrum of conditions such as urinary incontinence, voiding difficulties, pelvic organ prolapse, anal incontinence, and chronic pelvic pain. The initial assessment of women with PFDs is based on a detailed and focused history and a holistic clinical evaluation of the pelvic floor. Other investigations may be used in clinical practice for the determination of the pathophysiology and the severity of the PFDs. In the field of urogynecology, urodynamic studies, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic floor are currently implemented in the diagnostic work-up of women with PFDs. These provide valuable information not only on the anatomic integrity but also on the function of the pelvic floor which may not be apparent from the clinical examination. The provision of such information is complementary to the patient’s symptoms and degree of bother and enables the implementation of a targeted treatment plan, thus maximizing the likelihood of cure and minimizing the risk of treatment complications.

摘要

盆底疾病（PFDs）是一类常见且复杂的问题, 包括尿失禁, 排尿困难, 盆腔器官脱垂, 肛门失禁和慢性骨盆疼痛等广泛的疾病。对患有PFDs的妇女进行初步评估基于详尽且集中的病史以及对盆底的整体临床评估。其他研究可能用于临床实践, 以确定病理生理学和PFDs的严重程度。在泌尿妇科学领域, 尿动力学研究、超声和盆底磁共振成像目前已应用于PFDs女性的诊断工作中。这些不仅为盆底的解剖完整性提供了有价值的信息, 而且也为盆底的功能提供了有价值的信息, 而这在临床检查中可能并不明显。这些信息的提供是对患者症状和受疾病影响程度的补充, 能够实施有针对性的治疗计划, 从而最大限度地提高治愈的可能性, 最小化降低治疗并发症的风险。

Keywords:

• Pelvic floor disorders
• pelvic floor
• urodynamic status
• ultrasound
• magnetic resonance imaging
• urinary incontinence
• pelvic organ prolapse

Conflict of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Nil.