Role of Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Uterine Prolapse in Women: A Systemic Review

Abstract

Background: Uterine prolapse is the herniation of the uterus into or beyond the vagina as a result of failure of the ligamentous and fascia supports. It often coexists with prolapse of the vaginal walls, involving the bladder or rectum.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of ultrasound for the diagnosis of uterine prolapse in young women.

Methodology: In this systematic review data extracted by Medline, PubMed, science direct and Obs-gyne online library that were queried for studies published between 2000 to 2021 by using specific MeSH terms. In this systematic article we reviewed 10 retrospective style analytical studies for the collection of data.

Results: 10 studies conducted between the years 2000 to 2021 were included in this systematic review. The total sample size was 2500 women aged between 10-60 years. All subjects were examined by trans-perineal three-dimensional ultrasound for the detection of uterine prolapse. Out of 2500 patient almost 1000 determine with uterine prolapse on ultrasound. Ultrasound findings had excellent predictive value for the diagnosis of clinical uterine prolapse. An eye‐ shaped vaginal canal with an antero-posterior diameter of greater than 10 mm in the rendered axial plane was a sign of uterine prolapse. This sign may be helpful for detecting concealed uterine prolapse in complex pelvic organ prolapse. In fact, uterine prolapse can often be more prominent on imaging than on clinical examination. This may be due to the fact that the functional anatomy of the levator hiatus seems to matter most for uterine descent.

Conclusion: From this systematic reviewed study we concluded that Ultrasound is the most appropriate form of imaging in uro-gynecology for reasons of low cost, access and performance, and due to the fact that it provides information in real time. Trans-perineal three-dimensional 2 ultrasound can evaluate the morphological changes of levator hiatus in patients with uterine prolapse, and the area of levator hiatus has high diagnostic value for uterine prolapse.

Keywords: Pelvic organ prolapse; Trans-perineal Ultrasound; Uterine Prolapse; levator ani muscles.

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/92-05

Publication date:August 31^st 2021