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Published in: International Urogynecology Journal 10/2010

01-10-2010 | Original Article

Ultrasound measurement of vaginal wall thickness: a novel and reliable technique

Authors: Demetri C. Panayi, G. Alessandro Digesu, Paris Tekkis, Ruwan Fernando, Vikram Khullar

Published in: International Urogynecology Journal | Issue 10/2010

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim of this study was to validate a technique to measure the vaginal wall thickness (VWT) using two-dimensional ultrasound.

Methods

Women were scanned by two independent operators and by the same operator at two separate visits at the level of the bladder neck, the apex of the bladder, the anterior fornix, the anorectal junction, rectum and posterior fornix. Fresh female cadavers were scanned and ultrasound thickness of the vagina was compared to histological thickness.

Results

Bland Altman analysis revealed a low mean difference between operators and between visits by the same operator. The 95% confidence intervals as a percentage of the mean vaginal wall thickness ranged between 2.8% and 7.4%. There was a low percentage difference between ultrasound and histological vaginal wall thickness.

Conclusion

Ultrasound vaginal wall thickness demonstrated good intra- and interoperator reliability, as well as consistency with histological measurement. It is a valid technique.
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Metadata
Title
Ultrasound measurement of vaginal wall thickness: a novel and reliable technique
Authors
Demetri C. Panayi
G. Alessandro Digesu
Paris Tekkis
Ruwan Fernando
Vikram Khullar
Publication date
01-10-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Urogynecology Journal / Issue 10/2010
Print ISSN: 0937-3462
Electronic ISSN: 1433-3023
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1183-4

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