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

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.

Importance of Translabial Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Its Correlation with the POP-Q Examination: Analysis of 363 Cases

The incidence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is increasing in our aging society. We aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of translabial ultrasound (TLUS) by comparing the findings of POP-Q examination and TLUS in advanced POP patients and we also aimed to evaluate the prevalence of rectocele and enterocele on the TLUS. We analyzed the TLUS and POP-Q exam findings of 363 symptomatic POP patients who visited our clinic from March 2019 to April 2021. We excluded three patients who had conditions mimicking POP, as revealed by the TLUS. The most common POP type was anterior compartment POP (68.61%), followed by apical compartment (38.61%) and posterior compartment (16.11%) POP. Agreement between the POP-Q exam and TLUS was tested using Cohen’s kappa (κ). p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The incidence of rectocele or enterocele was only 1.67% (6/360) and there was no rectocele or enterocele in most patients (246/252, 96.63%) when the POP-Q exam revealed posterior compartment POP, suggesting that they only had posterior vaginal wall relaxation. The positive predictive value of the POP-Q exam for detecting rectocele or enterocele (as revealed by TLUS) was only 2.38%, whereas the negative predictive value was 100%. In conclusion, the application of TLUS is useful in the diagnosis of POP, especially for differentiation of true POP from conditions mimicking POP. The correlation between the POP-Q exam and TLUS is low, especially in posterior compartment POP, and therefore, patients with POP-Q exam findings suggesting posterior compartment POP should undergo TLUS to check for rectocele or enterocele. The use of TLUS in the diagnosis of POP patients can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of POP patients in conjunction with a POP-Q exam.

Diagnosis and Management of Female Paraurethral Cysts: A Tertiary Hospital Experience

Objective: To report a case series of female paraurethral cysts (FPCs) at a tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: Sixteen proximal- and distal-FPC cases treated between 2010 and 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Demographics, clinical presentations, diagnostic methods, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: The mean age and BMI of the 11 proximal-FPC patients were significantly higher than those of the five distal-FPC patients [55.6 versus 39.8 years (p=0.008); 27.6 versus 21.5 kg/m² (p=0.036)], respectively. Comorbidity and parity statuses did not differ. The most common presenting symptoms were palpable mass (31.3%) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) (31.3%). There were palpable masses in four distal-FPC cases (80%), significantly more than in proximal-FPC at one case (9.1%) (p=0.013). Normal urinalyses were found in all five distal-FPC cases, significantly higher than in proximal-FPC at two cases (18.2%) (p=0.005). Diagnosis was confirmed solely by pelvic examination in three distal-FPC cases (60%) with palpable masses at the distal urethra, but in only one proximal-FPC case (9.1%) (p=0.063), otherwise, translabial ultrasound, CT, MRI, or VCUG was used. Patients were managed by transvaginal excision and urethral injury occurred in six (42.9%). While the groups’ operative times, blood losses, and catheter indwelling times were similar, proximal-FPC hospital stays were longer at three versus two days (p=0.019). Disease recurrence, transient stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and urethral stricture occurred in one, two and one of proximal-FPC cases, respectively. One distal FPC developed overactive bladder. The symptom-free success rate was 64.3%. Two proximal-FPC patients had adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: The FPC patients had various presentations. Diagnosis of FPC could be made clinically by pelvic examination. Further investigative imaging might be performed in the equivocal cases to confirm the diagnosis. Transvaginal removal was the mainstay treatment. Keywords: Case series; Management; Paraurethral cyst; Skene’s gland cyst; Urethral diverticulum

Translabial ultrasound: a non-invasive technique for assessing “technical errors” after TOT failure

Introduction and hypothesis The aims of this study were to evaluate by transperineal ultrasound if there were ultrasound-detectable changes over time in the dynamic behavior of the sling in patients who underwent transobturator tape (TOT), and to evaluate if dynamic translabial ultrasonography recognized factors that may be associated with failed surgery. Methods This was a single-center prospective study. We included women who underwent “out-in” TOT for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A dynamic translabial ultrasound was performed 6 months post-surgery and again at the last visit. The objective cure for SUI was defined as the absence of urine leakage during the stress test. We evaluated the bladder neck mobility at rest and during Valsalva; the position of the mesh along the urethra; the concordance of urethral movement with the sling during Valsalva; the symmetry of the lateral arms of the sling during straining; and the presence or absence of bladder neck funneling. Results From December 2012 to February 2016, 80 consecutive patients were included. Six months after surgery, incontinent women compared with continent women had the sling in a proximal or distal position, that moved discordantly with the urethra (p < 0.0001), with asymmetry arm and bladder neck funneling (p < 0.0001). Continent patients had a significant improvement of urethrocele grade both at rest (p = 0.036) and during Valsalva (p = 0.045). Conclusions Technical and positioning errors can lead to the failure of anti-incontinence surgical treatment. Translabial ultrasound allows the correct positioning of the sling to be evaluated and any errors that need to be analyzed in order to then solve the failure.

Rectal–vaginal pressure gradient in patients with pelvic organ prolapse and symptomatic rectocele

Objective The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between rectal–vaginal pressure and symptomatic rectocele in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Method Patients with posterior vaginal prolapse staged III or IV in accordance with the POP Quantitation classification method who were scheduled for pelvic floor reconstructive surgery in the years 2016–2019 were included in the study. Rectocele was diagnosed using translabial ultrasound, and obstructed defecation (OD) was diagnosed in accordance with the Roma IV diagnostic criteria. Both rectal and vaginal pressure were measured using peritron manometers at maximum Vasalva. To ensure stability, the test was performed three times with each patient. Results A total of 217 patients were enrolled in this study. True rectocele was diagnosed in 68 patients at a main rectal ampulla depth of 19 mm. Furthermore, 36 patients were diagnosed with OD. Symptomatic rectocele was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.01), a higher OD symptom score (p < 0.001), and a lower grade of apical prolapse (p < 0.001). The rectal–vaginal pressure gradient was higher in patients with symptomatic rectocele (37.4 ± 11.7 cm H2O) compared with patients with asymptomatic rectocele (16.9 ± 8.4 cm H2O, p < 0.001), and patients without rectocele (17.1 ± 9.2 cm H2O, p < 0.001). Conclusion The rectal–vaginal pressure gradient was found to be a risk factor for symptomatic rectocele in patients with POP. A rectal–vaginal pressure gradient of > 27.5 cm H2O was suggested as the cut-off point of the elevated pressure gradient.

Does Dominant Prolapse in Other Compartments Affect the Assessment of Bladder Prolapse on Translabial Ultrasound?

Objective: To explore the impact of dominant prolapse in other compartments in assessing bladder prolapse, and to establish cutoffs for staging bladder prolapse among Chinese women using translabial ultrasound. Design: Prospective multicentre observational study. Setting: Tertiary referral urogynaecology unit. Population: A total of 741 women with symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction and/or pelvic floor dysfunction were included. Methods: Women underwent interview, pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) examinations and 4D translabial ultrasounds. Main outcome measures: The ROC statistic was used to assess accuracy and define the optimal cutoffs. Results: The mean patient age was 42.7 years (range, 18-82). There were 456 women without dominant prolapse in the apical/posterior compartments and 285 women with dominant prolapse in the apical/posterior compartments. Among patients without and with dominant prolapse, similar cutoffs (-10.9 mm vs. -9.1 mm) were determined for predicting POP-Q stage ≥ 2 in the anterior compartment, with AUCs of 0.87 and 0.79, respectively. In contrast, significantly different cutoffs (-5.7 mm vs. +3.5 mm) were determined for predicting POP-Q stage ≥ 1 among patients with and without dominant prolapse, with AUCs of 0.85 and 0.77, respectively. Conclusion: Dominant prolapse in the apical/posterior compartments affected the accuracy and cutoffs of translabial ultrasound for staging bladder prolapse. Thus, competition of various organs in women with multi-compartment prolapse should be considered as a potential complicating factor in assessing pelvic organ prolapse. Funding: The study is supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 91859115). Key words: Bladder prolapse; translabial ultrasound.