Pelvic Floor Ultrasound Technique

Although pelvic floor muscle tone is important for continence one recent study did not show a strong association with contractility measured on ultrasound or physical exam and urinary continence.

Pelvic floor ultrasound technique.

Hans dietz gives an overview of different techniques of imaging in urogynecology followed by a detailed discussion of pelvic floor ultrasound to assess anatomy and function of the urethra and bladder. Three and four dimensional ultrasound has increased public interest in pelvic floor tremendously. Pelvic ultrasound is usually the initial modality for imaging gynecologic pathology including acute pelvic pain and chronic pelvic pain the exam normally involves two components. However defects in the pubovisceral musculature delineated by 3d 4d ultrasound are associated with larger levator hiatus dimensions and severity.

This can be a useful t. A pelvic ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to make pictures of the organs inside your pelvis. Taking warm baths is another useful technique. The superficial axial plane faces the puborectalis portion of the levator ani and all the levator subdivisions are better imaged by endocavitary transducers such as bk 2052 or bk 8838.

Physiotherapist stuart turner demonstrates how real time ultrasound can be used to assess and retrain the muscles of the pelvic floor. In the future this will become more relevant when investigating the increasing number of. Warm water improves blood circulation and relaxes. This is a presentation by dr andrew edwards.

However endocavitary transducers impede valsalva maneuver. Relaxation techniques such as yoga and stretching can also help to relax your pelvic floor muscles. A transabdominal ta evaluation and a transvaginal tv endovaginal ev evaluation. Because translabial ultrasound is the most commonly used modality for pelvic floor evaluation it is the focus of this chapter.

A modification of the translabial or transperineal technique is introital imaging which typically uses high frequency endocavitary transducers placed in the introitus. The intended audience are gp s and gynaecologists.