Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes a local endovaginal probe (30) for receiving magnetic resonance in a study of the endopelvic fascia surrounding the female urethra. The probe (30) includes a shaft portion (62) an insert portion (60), the insert portion to be inserted into the vaginal cavity of a female subject. The insert portion (60), in order to have maximum efficiency in imaging the endopelvic fascia, is designed to specific dimensions to achieve the optimum balance between image quality and patient comfort. In an imaging sequence, a main magnet assembly (12) produces a main magnetic field through an imaging region (14). A whole-body RF coil (26) excites and manipulates magnetic resonance in the vicinity of the vaginal cavity. The probe (30) detects the magnetic resonance, which is received and demodulated. The received magnetic resonance is then reconstructed into an image representation of the tissue surrounding the vaginal cavity of the subject.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes a local endovaginal probe (30) for receiving magnetic resonance in a study of the endopelvic fascia surrounding the female urethra. The probe (30) includes a shaft portion (62) an insert portion (60), the insert portion to be inserted into the vaginal cavity of a female subject. The insert portion (60), in order to have maximum efficiency in imaging the endopelvic fascia, is designed to specific dimensions to achieve the optimum balance between image quality and patient comfort. In an imaging sequence, a main magnet assembly (12) produces a main magnetic field through an imaging region (14). A whole-body RF coil (26) excites and manipulates magnetic resonance in the vicinity of the vaginal cavity. The probe (30) detects the magnetic resonance, which is received and demodulated. The received magnetic resonance is then reconstructed into an image representation of the tissue surrounding the vaginal cavity of the subject.