The reliability of puborectalis muscle measurements with 3-dimensional ultrasound imaging.
OBJECTIVE
Our aims were to: (1) recognize the anatomic landmarks for measurement of puborectalis muscle on 3-dimensional ultrasound images, (2) assess intra- and interobserver reliability of puborectalis muscle measurements, (3) determine whether there is measurable puborectalis muscle shortening with pelvic floor squeeze, and (4) assess pelvic hiatus symmetry.


METHODS
Twenty-seven nulliparous asymptomatic women were imaged with 3-dimensional ultrasound at rest and squeeze. Three-dimensional ultrasound volumes were rotated by using a standardized technique and analyzed by 2 observers.


RESULTS
Anatomic landmarks (lower end of pubic bone and apex of anorectal angle) were recognized consistently. There is significant shortening of puborectalis muscle and pelvic floor hiatus dimensions with squeeze. Inter- and intraobserver correlations demonstrate reproducibility of measurements. Both halves of pelvic floor hiatus are mirror images of each other.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging allows localization of anatomic landmark and yields reliable measurements of the puborectalis muscle and pelvic floor hiatus.
Weinstein
Milena M
MM
Pelvic Floor Function and Disorder Group, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA.
Jung
Sung-Ae
SA
Pretorius
Dolores H
DH
Nager
Charles W
CW
den Boer
Derkina J
DJ
Mittal
Ravinder K
RK
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography