The repeatability of sonographic measures of functional pelvic floor anatomy

Abstract

The short- to medium-term repeatability of translabial ultrasound measures of functional pelvic floor anatomy seems to be high. Hiatal area on Valsalva (ballooning) and diagnosis of levator avulsion were the most repeatable measures. The least repeatable measures related to the posterior compartment.

Is it necessary to diagnose levator avulsion on pelvic floor muscle contraction?

“…Sonographic diagnosis of this condition has been standardized through the use of tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) during pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC). This method is highly repeatable and agreement with MRI is high.…”

What is abnormal uterine descent on translabial ultrasound?

“…Transperineal or translabial US (TLUS) imaging is a useful adjunct to clinical assessment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), both in clinical audit and in research, as female POP is a common condition of poorly defined etiology [2] that conveys significant bother [3]. The sonographic technique is highly repeatable, both in US volume data acquisition and in offline assessment of US parameters [4][5][6].…”

Warping of the levator hiatus: how significant is it?

“…The original method for the assessment of hiatal dimensions relied on identifying a single axial plane of minimal hiatal dimensions, assuming that this plane is flat. Both measurement of hiatal dimensions and volume acquisition have been shown to be highly repeatable, by us and by other groups. However, it has since become apparent that the true plane of the levator hiatus is not flat or Euclidean, but is in fact warped.…”