E-Posters-Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability of Pelvic Floor Function in Women who Received Pelvic Radiotherapy Using Ultrasound Imaging

Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability of Pelvic Floor Function in Women who Received Pelvic Radiotherapy Using Ultrasound Imaging - Anne-Gabrielle Frenette, MD

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This study aimed to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of ultrasound imaging (USI) measures of pelvic floor morphology in women who received pelvic radiotherapy (RT) for cancer treatment. The participants were 20 women with a history of RT for pelvic cancer, with an average age of 61.5 years. The measures assessed were bladder wall thickness, levator plate at rest, levator plate during maximal voluntary contraction, levator plate during maximal Valsalva maneuver, and urethral length. <br /><br />The results showed that the intra-rater reliability was very good for levator plate at rest, levator plate during maximal voluntary contraction, levator plate during maximal Valsalva maneuver, and urethral length. The inter-rater reliability was also very good for levator plate at rest, and good for levator plate during maximal voluntary contraction, levator plate during maximal Valsalva maneuver, and urethral length. However, bladder wall thickness had fair intra-rater reliability and low inter-rater reliability. <br /><br />Based on these findings, it is recommended to use USI by trained assessors for the evaluation of all tested measures, except for bladder wall thickness, in women who received RT for pelvic cancer. This is because the reliability of bladder wall thickness was found to be low. <br /><br />In conclusion, USI is a useful tool for assessing pelvic floor morphology in women who have undergone pelvic RT for cancer treatment. It is less invasive than intra-vaginal dynamometry, more reliable than digital palpation, and more accessible than magnetic resonance imaging. The findings of this study provide valuable information on the reliability of USI measures in this population.

Keywords

ultrasound imaging

pelvic floor morphology

intra-rater reliability

inter-rater reliability

pelvic radiotherapy

bladder wall thickness

levator plate at rest

maximal voluntary contraction

urethral length

trained assessors