Reproducibility in pelvic floor biometric parameters of nulliparous women assessed by translabial three-dimensional ultrasound using Omniview reformatting technique.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the reproducibility of pelvic floor biometric parameters by translabial three-dimensional ultrasound compared with the OmniView® reformatting technique.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study involving 47 nulliparous women without symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. The hiatal area and right pubovisceral muscle width measurements were performed in the axial plane using both 3D ultrasound in the rendering mode and OmniView® techniques. To determine the occurrence of standardized error between examiners and the two sonographic methods, the paired t-test was used. The intra- and inter-observer reliability and agreement were estimated by concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and limits of agreement, respectively.


RESULTS
We did not observe significant statistical differences among both measurements performed by the first examiner, both examiners and both methods in the assessment of the hiatal area; however, the measurements of the right pubovisceral muscle were significantly lower using OmniView®. The intra-observer reliability was good in the evaluation of all pelvic floor parameters; however, the inter-observer reliability was good only to the 3D rendering mode (CCC=0.87). The intra-observer agreement was good in the assessment of all pelvic floor parameters; however, the inter-observer agreement was found to be good only when 3DUS in the rendering mode was used (<+/-15%).


CONCLUSIONS
Both 3D ultrasound in the rendering mode and OmniView® reformatting techniques were concordant in the assessment of pelvic floor parameters; however, the 3D ultrasound rendering in the mode demonstrated better inter-observer reliability and agreement.
Department of Gynecology, Paulista School of Medicine - Federal University of São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
Zsuzsanna Ilona Katalin
ZI
Jármy-Di Bella
Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine - Federal University of São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil. araujojred@terra.com.br.
Edward
E
Araujo Júnior
Department of Gynecology, Paulista School of Medicine - Federal University of São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
Claudinei Alves
CA
Rodrigues
Department of Gynecology, Paulista School of Medicine - Federal University of São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
Luiza
L
Torelli
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (DGO-FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil.
Wellington P
WP
Martins
Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine - Federal University of São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
Antonio Fernandes
AF
Moron
Department of Gynecology, Paulista School of Medicine - Federal University of São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
Manoel João Batista Castello
MJ
Girão
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D015588:Observer Variation; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult