Ultrasound in the quantification of female pelvic organ prolapse

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the use of ultrasound in the quantification of prolapse and compare findings with clinical assessments obtained in a blind study.

Methods: In a prospective comparative clinical study, 145 patients referred for urogynecological assessment were examined clinically by one operator and by translabial ultrasound by another operator.

Results: Clinical staging and International Continence Society coordinates were obtained for all 145 patients, as were ultrasound coordinates for descent of the anterior and posterior vaginal walls. Eighteen percent of the uteri of those women who had not had a hysterectomy in the past could not be seen; none of these women suffered from uterine prolapse clinically. Correlation with the prolapse assessment system recently endorsed by the International Continence Society was good (r = 0.77 for uterine prolapse, r = 0.72 for anterior vaginal wall and r = 0.53 for posterior vaginal wall descent).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that translabial ultrasound can be used to quantify female pelvic organ prolapse. Correlation with the International Continence Society prolapse assessment system is good. The method may be particularly suitable for objective outcome assessment after surgical intervention.