Reproducibility of the transperineal real-time three-dimensional ultrasound for evaluation of normal female pelvic floor structure

Abstract

Objective To study the repeatability and consistency of normal female pelvic floor structure using transperineal real-time three-dimensional ultrasound.Methods Forty-two cases of normal adult female were evaluated by two different experience operator, using the real-time three-dimensional ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. The bladder neck movement degrees and the levator hiatus area were observed after Valsalva condition. Differences between the groups were compared. Intraclass correlation coefficient （ICC）, the coefficient of variation （CV） and Bland-Ahman analysis of consistency were evaluated. Results The bladder neck movement degrees and the levator hiatus area measured by the experienced operator （operator 1） and less experienced operator（operator 2） were （18.48 ± 5.84）cm and （17.79 ± 5.48） cm, （17.53± 3.95）cm^2 and （17.31 ± 4.32）cm^2 , respectively.There was no significant difference between the two operators （P 〉 0.05）. The intra-ICC were 0.89 and 0.90, CV were 7.26M and 3.03%. Experienced operator repeatability （ICC = 0.99,0.94） was slightly higher than the less experienced researchers （ICC 0.92,0.81）.The analysis results of Bland-Ahman image showed good consistency between two different operators.Conclusions The current study proves real-time three-dimensional ultrasound is a reproducible method for female pelvic floor structure assessment, and the reproducibility is very well. The detection performance of experienced operator slightly better than the one with less experience, strengthen the training of junior doctors may further improve the accuracy of measurement. Key words: Uhrasonography, three-dimensional; Pelvic floor ; Reproducibility of results