To explore the application value of multiparameter quantitative MRI in evaluating pelvic floor muscle function in POP patients.
Sixty-nine POP patients and 32 healthy controls (HC) were prospectively enrolled and categorized into POP I-II (n = 32) and POP III-IV (n = 37) groups based on POP-Q. All participants underwent conventional pelvic floor MRI, Q-Dixon, and T1-mapping. The PDFF and native T1 values of pelvic floor muscles were measured. Between-group differences in PDFF and T1 values were compared.
No significant differences were found in the PDFF and native T1 values of the bilateral OIM, OEM, PEC, and COC muscles (P > 0.05). The PDFF of the levator ani muscle (LAM) was significantly higher in the POP III-IV group than in the POP I-II and HC groups (P < 0.001). The PDFF of the coccygeus muscle (COC) was higher in both POP groups than in HCs (P < 0.001). Native T1 values of LAM and COC were lower in both POP groups compared to HCs (P < 0.001). Combined PDFF and T1 values of LAM and COC showed good diagnostic performance for POP severity (AUCs 0.826 and 0.841). Interobserver agreement was excellent (ICC 0.807-0.920).
PDFF and native T1 values are valuable biomarkers for assessing pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and stratifying disease severity in patients with POP.
International urogynecology journal. 2026 Apr 17 [Epub ahead of print]
XiaoYing Wang, Wei Guo, Meng Wang, BaoGen Zhao, HongLiang Hu, Lu Zhang, Yong Wang, Li Zhang
Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, The First Hospital of HeBei Medical University, Zhuang City, 050031, Shijia, China., Reproductive Medicine Center of The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Zhuang City, China., Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, The First Hospital of HeBei Medical University, Zhuang City, 050031, Shijia, China. ., Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, The First Hospital of HeBei Medical University, Zhuang City, 050031, Shijia, China. .