Interobserver and interdisciplinary reproducibility of 3D endovaginal ultrasound assessment of pelvic floor anatomy.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Santoro
Giulio Aniello
GA
Pelvic Floor Unit, I° Department of Surgery, Regional Hospital, 31100 Treviso, Italy. giulioasantoro@yahoo.com
Wieczorek
Andrzej Paweł
AP
Shobeiri
S Abbas
SA
Mueller
Elizabeth R
ER
Pilat
Jacek
J
Stankiewicz
Aleksandra
A
Battistella
Giuseppe
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019160:Endosonography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014621:Vagina; D055815:Young Adult