The Correlation between Transperineal Shear-Wave Elastography and Transabdominal Ultrasound When Assessing Pelvic Floor Function in Nulliparous Women

Abstract

Pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) play a crucial role in maintaining pelvic organ support and continence. However, pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), often resulting from insufficient PFM control, poses a substantial global health challenge for women. This study aims to explore the relationship between levator ani muscle elasticity when assessed through transperineal shear-wave elastography (SWE) and bladder base displacement, quantified using transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS), as a means to comprehensively evaluate PFM function. A total of 42 nulliparous women participated in this study. Participants received instructions on proper PFM contractions using Kegel exercises. Levator ani muscle elasticity was assessed both at rest and during contractions using transperineal SWE, while bladder base displacement was simultaneously measured through TAUS. Repeated measures demonstrated strong intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.906 at rest and 0.687 during contractions for levator ani muscle elasticity. The mean elasticity values were 24.7 ± 4.5 kPa at rest and 62.1 ± 10.4 kPa during contractions. Additionally, the mean bladder base displacement was 7.2 ± 2.5 mm, and the normalized bladder base displacement via body mass index was 0.3 ± 0.1 mm. Significantly, a moderate correlation was identified between the PFM function, represented by the difference in levator ani elasticity during contractions and resting, and bladder base displacement (r = 0.486, p = 0.001). These findings underscore the potential utility of transperineal SWE as a reliable and noninvasive method to assess levator ani muscle elasticity and, consequently, PFM function. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the interplay between PFM elasticity and bladder base displacement, offering insights into PFM function assessments. The observed correlation suggests the clinical relevance of SWE in providing valuable information for treatment planning in PFD. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of PFM dynamics, ultimately aiding in the effective management of PFD among women.