Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the urogenital hiatus in pelvic organ prolapse women

Abstract

Objective To provide an effective imaging technique for the morphological observation of the urogenital hiatus in pelvic organ prolapse women using three-dimensional ultrasound. Methods In a prospective observational study, forty patients with pelvic organ prolapse and thirty nulliparous women underwent three-dimensional transperineal ultrasound, with the patients supine after bladder emptying. The three-dimensional ultrasound volume was acquired and the form, structure, composition and size of urogeital hiatus were observed in the axial plane set by interior-inferior edge of symphsis pubis and analrectum junction. Results The urogenital hiatus in pelvic organ prolapse women was obviously different from the control's. The size increased sharply, the morphology represented as oval replacing the normal rotundity, the middle line diverged from the normal position, organs inside the hiatus arranged abnormally and the connective tissue defected. Conclusions Three-dimensional ultrasound is an effective imaging method to observe female pelvic floor. Urogenital hiatus in pelvic organ prolapse women displayed abnormities with morphology and structure. Key words: Ultrasonography, three-dimensional ; Pelvic floor ; Urogenital hiatus ; Prolapse