title: Transperineal ultrasonography in stress urinary incontinence: The significance of urethral rotation angles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess, using transperineal ultrasonography (TPUS), the numerical value of the rotation of the bladder neck [represented by the difference in the anterior (α angle) and posterior urethral angles (β angle)] at rest and straining, in continent women and women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), to ascertain if there are significant differences in the angles of rotation (Rα and Rβ) between the groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 30 women with SUI (SUI group) and 30 continent women (control group) were included. TPUS was performed at rest and straining (Valsalva manoeuver), and the threshold value for the urethral angles (α and β angles) for each group were estimated. The degree of rotation for each angle was calculated and was considered as the angle of rotation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both the α and β angles were significantly different between the groups at rest and straining, and there was a significant difference in the mean increment in the value of each angle. Higher values of increment (higher rotation angles) were reported in the SUI group for both the α and β angles compared with those of the control group [mean (SD) Rα SUI group 19.43 (12.76) vs controls 10.53 (2.98) °; Rβ SUI group 28.30 (12.96) vs controls 16.33 (10.8) °; P < 0.001].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urethral rotation angles may assist in the assessment and diagnosis of patients with SUI, which may in turn reduce the need for more sophisticated urodynamic studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Al-Nahrain College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Kadhimiya, Baghdad, Iraq.
authors.forename: Wasan Ismail
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Al-Saadi
keywords: (S)UI, (stress) urinary incontinence; (TP)US, (transperineal) ultrasound/ultrasonography; ROC, receiver operating characteristic; Stress urinary incontinence; Transperineal ultrasonography; Urethral rotation angles; α angle, anterior urethral angle; β angle, posterior urethral angle