title: Unbiased and efficient estimation of the volume of the fibroid uterus using the Cavalieri method and magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: The aim of our study was to develop a reliable technique for measuring volume of the fibroid uterus using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. We applied the Cavalieri method and standard calliper technique to measure the volume of the uterus and largest fibroid in 26 patients, and results were compared with "gold-standard" planimetry measurements. We found Cavalieri measurements to be unbiased, while calliper measurements systematically underestimated uterine volume (- 13.2%, P < 10(-5)) and had greater variance. Repeatability was similar for the 2 techniques (standard deviation [SD] = 4.0%-6.9%). Reproducibility of Cavalieri measurements was higher for measurement of uterine (SD = 9.0%) than fibroid volume (SD = 19.1%), whereas the reproducibility of calliper measurements was higher for fibroid (SD = 9.1%) than uterine volume (SD = 15.9%). The additional measurement time for the Cavalieri method was approximately 1 to 2 minutes. In conclusion, the Cavalieri method permits more accurate measurement of uterine and fibroid volumes and is suitable for application in both clinical practice and scientific research.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Thrippleton
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kirsty I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McKillop
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Newby
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Imaging Centre, (CRIC) University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom hilary.critchley@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Hilary O D
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Critchley
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D047368:Tumor Burden; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; fibroid uterus; leiomyoma; volume estimation