OC34.05: What is the clinical relevance of major defects of the levator ani muscle?

The probe was placed in the fourchette in a transverse fashion, the volumes were acquired and saved for later analysis using the 3D extended imaging and its modality tools. Results: We were able to visualize the start-shaped mucosal folds, the hypoechoic internal and hyperechoic external anal sphincters and the levator ani in a transverse and sagittal fashion in all the patients. No differences were observed among the nulliparous or patients with vaginal deliveries. The mean anal sphincter thicknesses was 2.21 mm on group I and 2.32 mm on group II. Using 3D volume data, multi slice view imaging allow us to display a sequence of frames and to select the best slice to do measurements or to review anatomic details. Using oblique modality, a sagittal view and a coronal view were easily obtained, which may be rotated in 360◦. Sonomagnetic resonance modality was used to obtain a better contrast to improve the view of anatomic details. Conclusions: We obtain clear images of the anal sphincter anatomy in all women studied, either using a convex or a volumetric transvaginal probes, as was previously reported. This was an easily applicable method, with the advantage that the volume data may be reviewed by using 3D extended imaging and its modality tools, allowing to do later analysis, to visualize the anatomy from any spatial position, to get a free coronal view not possible to obtain by convex probes, and to improve contrast.