A New Angle Measurement in Translabial Ultrasound as an Adjunct for the Diagnosis of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the data obtained by a pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) examination with the translabial ultrasound (TLUS) quantification of prolapse, using a new method of angle measurement. We analyzed the TLUS and POP-Q exam findings of 452 patients with symptoms of POP. The POP-Q system was used for clinical staging. TLUS was performed both at rest, and during the Valsalva maneuver after proper preparation. A horizontal reference line was drawn through the inferior margin of the symphysis pubis and the levator plate connected to the rectal ampulla, and the difference was calculated between the rest and the Valsalva maneuver. The Spearman's correlation coefficient of agreement between the TLUS and the clinical POP-Q staging was used for statistical analysis. There was a weak degree of correlation between the POP-Q findings for the Ap parameter and our new angle measurement (rho = 0.17, p < 0.001). Thus, POP staging in conjunction with TLUS with this new angle measurement shows better agreement for the diagnosis of POP than POP-Q staging alone.