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Comparative Study
. 2018 Jul/Aug;24(4):295-300.
doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000485.

Comparing 3-Dimensional Ultrasound to 3-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Detection of Levator Ani Defects

Camille S Calderwood, Amy Thurmond  1 , Amanda Holland, Blake Osmundsen  2 , W Thomas Gregory
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparing 3-Dimensional Ultrasound to 3-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Detection of Levator Ani Defects

Camille S Calderwood et al. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2018 Jul/Aug.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the detection of levator ani defects (LAD) between 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) and 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the Pelvic Floor Nerve Injury Following Childbirth Study. Nulliparous women underwent a standardized protocol of pelvic floor evaluations between January 2008 and December 2013, prior to pregnancy (V1) and at 2 points postpartum: 6 weeks (V2) and 6 months (V3). Those women who underwent a high-resolution 3D MRI pelvic floor sequence were selected. Comparisons were made to concomitantly acquired 3D perineal US. Eight tomographic slices were examined in the axial plane, each side independently scored with 0 (no defect) or 1 (defect). A similar tomographic approach was applied to the MRI. For both MRI and US, the right and left sides were each scored. A total score of 0 to 8 was given to each side. A dichotomous variable "complete LAD" was defined. Cohen κ was used as a measurement of agreement of complete LAD between MRI and US. Kendall τ b was used to correlate total scores.

Results: On the right side, 80 (90%) of 89 pairs were in agreement (concordant in the diagnosis or not of a "defect"). On the left side, 72 (81%) of 89 pairs were in agreement. Correlations (Cohen κ) of complete LAD were 0.65 (P < 0.001) on the right and 0.37 (P < 0.001) on the left. Correlations of total scores were 0.47 (P < 0.001) on the right and 0.41 (P < 0.001) on the left.

Conclusions: Moderate agreement was found between 3D US and 3D MRI LAD detection. More LADs and discordance were seen on the left.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Plane of minimal hiatal dimension in the midsagittal plane as seen on a. MRI and b. US. Abbreviations: B bladder, PB-pubic bone, U-urethra, AC-anal canal.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Plane of minimal hiatal dimension in the midsagittal plane as seen on a. MRI and b. US. Abbreviations: B bladder, PB-pubic bone, U-urethra, AC-anal canal.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Tomographic assessment of the puborectalis muscle. Tomographic slices set 2.5 mm apart, slice 3 is the reference slide. In this example a complete left sided puborectalis avulsion is observed.
Figure 3
Figure 3
MRI Tomographic selection in the midsagittal view, with an axial and coronal representation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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