Clinical application of three-dimensional pelvic floor ultrasound in patients with pelvic organ prolapse and the application value of levator hiatus and levator ani indicators

Background: pelvic organ prolapse is a common gynecological condition affecting many women and impairing quality of life. imaging modalities like 3d ultrasound can provide a valuable anatomical and morphological evaluation of pelvic floor support defects contributing to prolapse. materials and methods: this study evaluated the clinical utility of 3d transperineal pelvic floor ultrasound for assessing pelvic organ prolapse in women. prolapse was quantified using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (pop-q) system based on ultrasound imaging. additional ultrasound parameters measured were the levator hiatus area, levator ani muscle thickness, and hiatal balloon volume on valsalva. results: 3d ultrasound enabled comprehensive visualization and staging of pelvic organ prolapse. significant stepwise differences were found between mild, moderate, and severe prolapse groups in the levator hiatus area, levator ani thickness, and balloon volume. ultrasound measurements showed excellent reproducibility. conclusion: 3d pelvic floor ultrasound allows accurate diagnosis and staging of pelvic organ prolapse severity. quantified ultrasound indicators of levator injury and pelvic floor laxity correlate with prolapse grade. our findings demonstrate that 3d ultrasound is a valuable imaging modality for comprehensive pelvic organ prolapse assessment in clinical practice.