RT journal article
T1 The Application of Shear Wave Elastography to Determine the Elasticity of the Levator Ani Muscle and Vaginal Tissue in Patients With Pelvic Organ Prolapse
A1 García-Mejido, José Antonio
A1 García-Jimenez, Rocío
A1 Fernández-Conde, C.
A1 García-Pombo, S.
A1 Fernández Palacín, Fernando
A1 Sainz Bueno, José Antonio
A2 Estadística e Investigación Operativa
K1 elasticity
K1 levator ani muscle
K1 pelvic organ prolapse
K1 sonoelastography
K1 vaginal
AB Objectives: The changes of the extracellular matrix of the connective tissue have significantly contributed to the incidence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). It seems reasonable that sonoelastography could be a useful tool to evaluate the elasticity of pelvic floor tissue in patients with POP and compare it to those without POP. The main aim of this pilot study was to determine if there are differences in the elasticity of the levator ani muscle (LAM) and vaginal tissue between patients with and without POP. Methods: Prospective observation study, including 60 patients (30 with POP and 30 without POP). Sonoelastography was performed to evaluate the elasticity (in kilopascals, kPa) of the following regions of interest: vagina at the level of middle third of the urethra; vagina at the level of the bladder trigone; vagina in the anterior and posterior fornix; vagina at the level of middle third of the anorectal canal; posterior third of the LAM. Results: A total of 60 patients completed the study (30 with POP, 30 without POP). In the POP group, 18/30 (60%) had an anterior vaginal wall prolapse, 3/30 (10%) a uterine prolapse, 15/30 (50%) a rectocele, and 6/30 (20%) a enterocele. Patients with POP had higher elasticity in all anatomical study areas, with statistically significant differences in the anterior fornix (13.6 vs 11.2 kPa; P:.012). A multiple regression (controlling age, menopausal stage, and parity) allowed to detect statistically significant differences in the elasticity of the middle third of the urethra (P:.03) and the middle third of the anorectal canal (P:.019). Conclusion: It is possible to evaluate the elasticity of the LAM and vaginal tissue using sonoelastography, detecting a higher elasticity in patients with POP than in those without POP.
PB WILEY
SN 1550-9613
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/32708
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/32708
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 11-nov-2026