In vivo assessment of the levator ani muscles using shear wave elastography: a feasibility study in women

Bertrand Gachon (1) , Antoine Nordez (2) , Fabrice H.F. Pierre (3) , Laetitia Fradet (4, 5) , Xavier * Fritel (6) , David Desseauve (4)

1 Service de gynécologie, obstétrique, médecine et biologie de la reproduction [CHU Poitiers] = Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, Reproductive Medicine and Biology [Poitiers University Hospital]
2 MIP - Motricité, interactions, performance EA 4334 / Movement - Interactions - Performance
3 ToxAlim-PPCA - Prévention et promotion de la cancérogénèse par les aliments
4 PPrime [Poitiers] - Institut Pprime [UPR 3346]
5 RoBioSS - Robotique, Biomécanique, Sport, Santé [Institut Pprime]
6 Recherches épidémiologiques en santé périnatale et santé des femmes

We hypothesized that shear wave elastography (SWE) technology might be useful for assessing the elastic properties of the pelvic floor in women. Our primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility of assessing the levator ani muscles using SWE in women. Our secondary aim was to investigate the changes in their elastic properties from rest to Valsalva maneuver.

Keywords: Biomechanics; Levator ani muscle; Elastography; Shear wave; Pelvic floor; Women

Domains: Fluid mechanics [physics.class-ph]; Material chemistry; Acoustics [physics.class-ph]; Automatic; Electromagnetism; Reactive fluid environment; Electric power; Polymers; Acoustics [physics.class-ph]; Biomechanics [physics.med-ph]; Materials and structures in mechanics [physics.class-ph]; Thermics [physics.class-ph]; Vibrations [physics.class-ph]; Mathematical Physics [math-ph]; Quantum Physics [quant-ph]

Bertrand Gachon, Antoine Nordez, Fabrice H.F. Pierre, Laetitia Fradet, Xavier * Fritel, et al.. In vivo assessment of the levator ani muscles using shear wave elastography: a feasibility study in women. International Urogynecology Journal, 2019, 30 (7), pp.1179-1186. ⟨10.1007/s00192-018-3693-4⟩. ⟨hal-02285850⟩