The G‐spot: an observational MRI pilot study. (18th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maratos, YK; Gombergh, R; Cornier, E; Minart, JP; Amoretti, N; Mpotsaris, A
• Is Part Of: BJOG. Volume 123:Number 9(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1542
• Page End: 1549
• Publication Date: 2016-01-18
• Subjects: Female erectile body -- Gräfenberg's zone -- G‐spot -- G‐spot anatomy -- G‐spot MRI -- pelvic MRI -- vaginal anatomy; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618
• DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.13864
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-0328

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To identify a G‐spot complex (GSC) in vivo in MRI examinations at 1.5 Tesla field strength. Design: Observational study. Setting: Single centre. Population: Twenty‐one consecutive patients (January–March 2014). Methods: Imaging analysis of routine imaging protocols for usual medical indications with and without concomitant opacification of the vaginal cavity with inert ultrasound gel. The gel distends the otherwise collapsed vaginal walls, allowing for an improved discrimination of anatomic features. The macroscopic and histological results recently derived from the dissections of fresh cadavers by Ostrzenski et al. were translated into imaging characteristics to be expected in the respective MRI sequences (e.g. T1‐ and T2‐weighted) in search of an in vivo correlate of the GSC. Age, menopause status, medical indication and diagnosis were co‐variables. Main outcome measures: To analyse primarily whether MRI imaging is able to depict a distinct morphological entity in vivo matching the GSC, based on anatomical descriptions published recently. The elaboration of an appropriate MRI‐imaging protocol was a secondary aim. Results: A total of 21 studies were obtained. A GSC was identified within the anterior vaginal wall in 13/21 patients (62%). In all, 10/21 (48%) had vaginal gel opacification. We identified a GSC in 10/10 patients (100%) with opacification in all three planes of the T2 images. This was only true for 3/11 cases (27%) without opacification. Conclusions: There is evidence for an in vivo morphological correlate to the postmortem anatomical findings of a GSC described by Ostrzenski et al.; its visibility in MRI imaging can be significantly improved with vaginal opacification by ultrasound gel. Tweetable abstract: Identification of G‐spot by MRI with vaginal gel‐opacification in 13/21 patients. Tweetable abstract: Identification of G‐spot by MRI with vaginal gel‐opacification in 13/21 patients.