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International Urogynecology Journal
Published in: International Urogynecology Journal 1/2011

01-01-2011 | Original Article

Interobserver and interdisciplinary reproducibility of 3D endovaginal ultrasound assessment of pelvic floor anatomy

Authors: Giulio Aniello Santoro, Andrzej Paweł Wieczorek, S. Abbas Shobeiri, Elizabeth R. Mueller, Jacek Pilat, Aleksandra Stankiewicz, Giuseppe Battistella

Published in: International Urogynecology Journal | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The study aims were to evaluate (1) the interobserver and (2) the interdisciplinary repeatability of levator hiatus, urethral thickness, and anorectal angle measurements using three-dimensional endovaginal ultrasound (3D-EVUS).

Methods

Twenty-seven nulliparous asymptomatic females were imaged with 3D-EVUS. Analyses were conducted off-line from stored 3D volumes by six readers (two radiologists, two urogynecologists, and two colorectal surgeons) using a standardized technique. Reproducibility was determined using the interclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

Results

The overall interobserver repeatability for levator hiatus dimensions was good to excellent (ICC, 0.655–0.889), for urethral thickness was good (ICC, 0.624), and for anorectal angle was moderate (ICC, 0472). The interdisciplinary repeatability for levator hiatus indices was good to excellent (ICC, 0.639–0.915), for urethral thickness was moderate to good (ICC, 0.565–0.671), and for anorectal angle was fair to moderate (ICC, 0.204–0.434).

Conclusions

3D-EVUS yields reproducible measurements of levator hiatus dimensions and urethral thickness in asymptomatic nulliparous women.
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Metadata
Title
Interobserver and interdisciplinary reproducibility of 3D endovaginal ultrasound assessment of pelvic floor anatomy
Authors
Giulio Aniello Santoro
Andrzej Paweł Wieczorek
S. Abbas Shobeiri
Elizabeth R. Mueller
Jacek Pilat
Aleksandra Stankiewicz
Giuseppe Battistella
Publication date
01-01-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Urogynecology Journal / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 0937-3462
Electronic ISSN: 1433-3023
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1233-y

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