Abstract:
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Purpose: To assess the value of transurethral ultrasound (US) and 3D reconstruction of the urethra and the external urethral sphincter in females with stress urinary incontinence.
Methods and Materials: Sixteen females with clinically proven stress urinary incontinence and 4 continent females underwent transurethral US using an endoluminal US probe operating at a frequency of 12.5 MHz. The US probe was fixed on a mechanically driven puller system. The US transducer was pulled back slowly with a speed of 1 mm/sec. The cross-sectional images were transferred to an external workstation. 3D reconstructions were calculated using specialized software packages. Contractility of the external urethral sphincter was assessed by measuring the distance between the inner contour of the external urethral sphincter and the US transducer during voluntary contractions.
Results: 3D US could be performed successfully in all patients. Patients with stress urinary incontinence demonstrated a reduced contractility of the external urethral sphincter compared with continent females. Furthermore, in patients with stress urinary incontinence atrophies of the sphincter could be seen. 3D reconstructions provided detailed images, which allowed for excellent visualization in all dimensions.
Conclusion: Investigation of the female urethra with intraurathral US and 3D reconstruction proved to be a simple and easy procedure, which provided excellent anatomic and physiologic information about the urethra and the external urethral sphincter.
Questions about this event email: andrea.klauser@uibk.ac.at
Klauser MD, A,
Transurethral Ultrasound and 3D Reconstruction of the Female Urethra. Radiological Society of North America 2003 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 30 - December 5, 2003 ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2003/3104779.html
