Hoyte Lennox, Jakab Marianna, Warfield Simon K, Shott Susan, Flesh George, Fielding Julia R
Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass, USA.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2004 Sep;191(3):856-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2004.06.067.
This study was undertaken to develop and test a 3-dimensional (3D) color thickness mapping technique on levator ani imaged with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Supine MRI datasets from 30 women were studied: 10 asymptomatic, 10 with urodynamic stress incontinence, and 10 with pelvic organ prolapse. Levators were manually outlined, and thickness mapping applied. Three-dimensional models were colored topographically, reflecting levator thickness. Thickness and occurrences of absent levator substance (gaps) were compared across the 3 groups, using nonparametric statistical tests.
Color thickness mapping was successful in all subjects. There were statistically significant differences in thickness and gap percentages among the 3 groups of women, with thicker, bulkier levators in asymptomatic women, compared with women with prolapse or urodynamic stress incontinence.
Color thickness mapping is feasible. It may be used to compare levators in symptomatic and asymptomatic women, to study relationships between levator thickness and pelvic floor dysfunction. This technique can be used in larger studies for hypothesis testing.
本研究旨在开发并测试一种用于磁共振成像（MRI）下肛提肌成像的三维（3D）彩色厚度映射技术。
对30名女性的仰卧位MRI数据集进行研究：10名无症状女性，10名患有尿动力学压力性尿失禁的女性，以及10名患有盆腔器官脱垂的女性。手动勾勒出肛提肌轮廓，并应用厚度映射。对三维模型进行地形学上色，以反映肛提肌厚度。使用非参数统计检验比较三组女性的肛提肌厚度及肛提肌组织缺失（间隙）的发生率。
彩色厚度映射在所有受试者中均成功完成。三组女性在厚度和间隙百分比上存在统计学显著差异，与患有脱垂或尿动力学压力性尿失禁的女性相比，无症状女性的肛提肌更厚、更丰满。
彩色厚度映射是可行的。它可用于比较有症状和无症状女性的肛提肌，研究肛提肌厚度与盆底功能障碍之间的关系。该技术可用于更大规模的研究以进行假设检验。
