title: Perineal ultrasound evaluation of the urethrovesical junction angle and urethral mobility in nulliparous women and women following vaginal delivery.
abstract: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the differences in the urethrovesical junction angle and urethral mobility by means of perineal ultrasounds in women following vaginal delivery with respect to nulliparous women. We have enrolled 34 women, 12 nulliparous (Group A) and 22 women in the post-partum period (Group B). The ultrasounds were employed to measure the urethrovesical junction angle ("urethro-pelvic" angle) and the urethral mobility. Data obtained show that the urethro-pelvic angle is narrower in Group A (97.3 degrees) with respect to Group B (112.5 degrees). Urethral mobility while coughing was significantly higher in Group B (30.4 degrees) with respect to Group A (-2 degrees). This study demonstrates the difference in the urethral support at rest and during cough in nulliparous versus recently delivered parous women.
authors.affiliation: Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department, University of Genova, Padiglione 1, I piano, Largo R. Benzi, 16100 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Costantini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nadalini
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Mario Menada
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Valenzano
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Risso
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lantieri
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mistrangelo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009321:Natural Childbirth; D010298:Parity; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010502:Perineum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology