INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The levator ani is the most important muscle in the pelvic floor. This pilot study using 3D power Doppler aimed to identify normal vascularization of the puborectalis/pubovisceralis muscle at its insertion in nulliparous and premenopausal women. METHODS: Forty nulliparous and premenopausal women were evaluated at the Gynecological Unit of a tertiary hospital. All women underwent a translabial ultrasound (US) with 3D power Doppler. Pubic insertion of the puborectalis/pubovisceralis muscle was assessed in the axial plane, and vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization-flow index (VFI) were calculated bilaterally. Volumes were analyzed offline by two independent observers, and interobserver agreement and correlation between variables was calculated. RESULTS: A high, statistically significant, correlation was found between the three US indices on each side (p < 0.005). No correlation was found between the US index and either of the demographic parameters of body mass index [(BMI), p > 0.241], or age (p > 0.398). The degree of correlation between the same index on the different sides was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Puborectalis/pubovisceralis muscle vascularization at its insertion can be identified using 3D Doppler US, but values differ substantially from those of the contralateral side.
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The levator ani is the most important muscle in the pelvic floor. This pilot study using 3D power Doppler aimed to identify normal vascularization of the puborectalis/pubovisceralis muscle at its insertion in nulliparous and premenopausal women. METHODS: Forty nulliparous and premenopausal women were evaluated at the Gynecological Unit of a tertiary hospital. All women underwent a translabial ultrasound (US) with 3D power Doppler. Pubic insertion of the puborectalis/pubovisceralis muscle was assessed in the axial plane, and vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization-flow index (VFI) were calculated bilaterally. Volumes were analyzed offline by two independent observers, and interobserver agreement and correlation between variables was calculated. RESULTS: A high, statistically significant, correlation was found between the three US indices on each side (p < 0.005). No correlation was found between the US index and either of the demographic parameters of body mass index [(BMI), p > 0.241], or age (p > 0.398). The degree of correlation between the same index on the different sides was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Puborectalis/pubovisceralis muscle vascularization at its insertion can be identified using 3D Doppler US, but values differ substantially from those of the contralateral side.
Authors: N J Raine-Fenning; N M Nordin; K V Ramnarine; B K Campbell; J S Clewes; A Perkins; I R Johnson Journal: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol Date: 2008-09 Impact factor: 7.299
Authors: Rong R Zhuang; Yan F Song; Zi Q Chen; Ming Ma; Hui J Huang; Jin H Chen; Yun M Li Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2011-04-07 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Alberto S Noguti; Zsuzsanna I K Jarmy-Di Bella; Emerson de Oliveira; Rodrigo A Castro; Geraldo R Lima; Edmund Chada Baracat; Marair G F Sartori; Manoel J B C Girão Journal: Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol Date: 2008-08-26 Impact factor: 2.435