Quantification of major morphological abnormalities of the levator ani

• Published in: Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 329 - 334
• Main Author: Dietz, H. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-03-2007; Wiley
• Subjects: 3D ultrasound; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; birth trauma; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods; levator muscle; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal - diagnostic imaging; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Pelvic Floor - diagnostic imaging; Pelvic Floor - injuries; Pelvic Floor - physiopathology; Prevalence; Prolapse; Prospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Statistics as Topic; tomographic ultrasound; translabial ultrasound; transperineal ultrasound; Ultrasonography; vaginal delivery; Valsalva Maneuver; Sonography; tomographic ultrasound; Gynecology; Urogenital system diseases; birth trauma; levator muscle; Birth; Obstetrics; Trauma; Prolapse; Vaginal route; translabial ultrasound; transperineal ultrasound; Echography; Delivery; Levator ani muscle; vaginal delivery; Ultrasound; 3D ultrasound
• ISSN: 0960-7692; 1469-0705
• DOI: 10.1002/uog.3951

Objectives
Morphological abnormalities of the levator ani are found in a significant minority of women presenting with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. In this study quantification of such injuries using tomographic three‐dimensional (3D) pelvic floor ultrasound was attempted.
Methods
In a prospective observational study undertaken at two tertiary urogynecological clinics, 262 consecutive women referred for complaints of lower urinary tract dysfunction and prolapse underwent an interview, clinical assessment and 3D translabial ultrasound imaging. Blinded offline analysis of volume datasets was performed at a later date using 4D View software. Main outcome measures were craniocaudal and ventrodorsal extent of defects of the pubovisceral muscle.
Results
Avulsion injuries were diagnosed in 50 women (19%; 21.3% of the vaginally parous). Defects were found unilaterally (right, n = 17; left, n = 12) and bilaterally (n = 21). In some women they affected the entire volume; in others defects were visible in only two of 16 slices. Hiatal area on Valsalva was correlated weakly with defect score (r = 0.28, P = 0.05) and total defect width (r = 0.4, P = 0.005). Defect score (P = 0.001) and maximum width (P = 0.002) were significantly higher in women who presented with symptoms of prolapse. Defect score was associated with cystocele as assessed clinically (P = 0.021) and on ultrasound (P = 0.014).
Conclusions
Depth and width of levator ani defects can be quantified by tomographic pelvic floor ultrasound. These parameters are associated with the likelihood of symptoms of prolapse and cystocele descent, but not with incontinence. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.