title: Measuring the angle of the subpubic arch using three-dimensional transperineal ultrasound scan: intraoperator repeatability and interoperator reproducibility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A method of measuring the subpubic arch angle using three-dimensional transperineal ultrasound scan (3DTUS) was developed, and the intraoperator repeatability and interoperator reproducibility were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using 3DTUS, volume data sets were obtained from the nine nulliparous pregnant women by three operators (A, B, and C) in each of the three study sessions. With volume reconstruction, a plane along the inferior edges of bilateral inferior pubic rami was obtained on the axial section. The angle made between the innermost points of both inferior pubic rami at the level of urethra and the inferoposterior point of symphysis pubis was measured as the subpubic arch angle. The intraoperator repeatability of the experienced operator (A) and the interoperator reproducibility between A, B, and C were assessed by the repeatability coefficient and the interoperator intraclass correlation (ICC), respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 27 women were examined. The intraoperator repeatability was 4.73 degrees. The overall interoperator ICC was 0.860, and increased from 0.794 in the first session to 0.945 in the third session.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With 3DTUS, it is feasible to measure subpubic arch angle with satisfactory intraoperator repeatability and interoperator reproducibility. This easy-to-learn technique extends the possibilities of future pelvimetry research using 3DTUS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. drsarahchoi@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Symphorosa Shing Chee
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Daljit Singh
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sahota
authors.forename: Tak Yeung
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D015588:Observer Variation; D010502:Perineum; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011630:Pubic Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging