Investigation for method of observing major muscle groups of levator ani in female by transvaginal two‐dimensional sonography / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

To evaluate and discuss feasibility and value of the transvaginal two‐dimensional sonography in distinguishing the major muscle groups of levator ani ,including puborectalis and iliococcygeus ,by observing the morphology and contraction form of these muscles . Methods Total of 145 nulliparous women were chosen . T he major muscle groups of levator ani were observed by transvaginal two‐dimensional sonography . T he images of puborectalis and iliococcygeus were obtained both at rest and contracting . T he features of the sonogram and the direction of muscle contraction were summarized . T he consistency between two sonographers was analyzed by ICC . Results T ransvaginal two‐dimensional sonography could be used to observe and distinguish the major muscle groups of levator ani . Puborectalis was showed distinctly as thick and uniform hyperechoic linear zone . Iliococcygeus was showed as triangle zone with sparse hyperechoic lines ,with one angle pointing to the caudal .During contracting ,puborectalis moved from the dorsal to the ventral while iliococcygeus contracted from the caudal to the cephalic . T he consistency between two sonographers for distinguishing the morphology and contraction form between the puborectalis( ICC＝0 .93 ,0 .89 ) and ilococcygeus ( ICC＝0 .78 ,0 .75 ) were remarkably high . Conclusions T ransvaginal two‐dimensional sonography could be used to observe dynamically and distinguish the morphology and contraction form of the levator ani muscles ,including puborectalis and iliococcygeus . It is a convenient and reproducible method to help study mechanism of levator ani injury and provide fine radiological evidence of making individual treatment .