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Published in: International Urogynecology Journal 10/2022

Open Access 07-10-2021 | Ultrasound | Original Article

Interobserver variability of ultrasound measurements for the differential diagnosis of uterine prolapse and cervical elongation without uterine prolapse

Authors: José Antonio García-Mejido, Zenaida Ramos Vega, Alberto Armijo Sánchez, Ana Fernández-Palacín, Carlota Borrero Fernández, José Antonio Sainz Bueno

Published in: International Urogynecology Journal | Issue 10/2022

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Abstract

Objectives

Our study aims to determine the interobserver variability of different ultrasound measurements (pubis-cervix distance, pubis-uterine fundus distance, and pubis-Douglascul-de-sac distance) previously analyzed for the ultrasound differential diagnosis of uterine prolapse (UP) and cervical elongation CE without UP.

Materials and methods

We conducted a prospective observational study with 40 patients scheduled to undergo surgical correction of UP and CE without UP. All patients underwent pelvic floor ultrasound examination by an examiner (E1) who acquired ultrasound images. Using these images, E1 measured the distances for the ultrasound differential diagnosis of UP and CE without UP, and these distances were compared with those measured by the other examiner (E2). Values were analyzed by calculating ICCs with 95% CIs.

Results

For UP, excellent reliability was obtained for all measurements except the pubis-Douglascul-de-sac measurement at rest, which was moderate (ICC 0.596; p = 0.028) and for the difference between the pubis-Douglascul-de-sac measurement at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver, which was good (ICC 0.691; p < 0.0005). For CE without UP, interobserver reliability was excellent for all measurements analyzed except the pubis-cervix measurement during the Valsalva maneuver, which was moderate (ICC 0.535; p = 0.052) and for the pubis-Douglascul-de-sac measurement at rest, which was good (ICC 0.768; p < 0.0005).

Conclusions

There is excellent interobserver reliability in measurements of the difference in the distance from the pubic symphysis to the uterine fundus at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver for both UP and CE without UP, which are used for the ultrasound differential diagnosis of UP and CE without UP.
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Metadata
Title
Interobserver variability of ultrasound measurements for the differential diagnosis of uterine prolapse and cervical elongation without uterine prolapse
Authors
José Antonio García-Mejido
Zenaida Ramos Vega
Alberto Armijo Sánchez
Ana Fernández-Palacín
Carlota Borrero Fernández
José Antonio Sainz Bueno
Publication date
07-10-2021
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
International Urogynecology Journal / Issue 10/2022
Print ISSN: 0937-3462
Electronic ISSN: 1433-3023
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-021-04980-y

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