Racial differences in pelvic morphology among asymptomatic nulliparous women as seen on three-dimensional magnetic resonance images

Compare pelvic morphology between asymptomatic African-American and white nulliparous women. Resting supine T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images were obtained in 12 African-American (AA) and 10 white American (WA) women without pelvic floor dysfunction. Three-dimensional models were reconstruc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2005-12, Vol.193 (6), p.2035-2040
Main Authors: Hoyte, Lennox, Thomas, John, Foster, Raymond T., Shott, Susan, Jakab, Marianna, Weidner, Alison C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
African Americans
Biological and medical sciences
European Continental Ancestry Group
Female
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Levator ani
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical sciences
Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology
Parity
Pelvic Bones - anatomy & histology
Pelvic Floor - anatomy & histology
Pelvic morphology
Pelvis - anatomy & histology
Pregnancy
Prospective Studies
Racial differences
Three-dimension reconstruction
Urethra - anatomy & histology
Urinary Bladder - anatomy & histology
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Summary:Compare pelvic morphology between asymptomatic African-American and white nulliparous women. Resting supine T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images were obtained in 12 African-American (AA) and 10 white American (WA) women without pelvic floor dysfunction. Three-dimensional models were reconstructed from the MR images by a masked investigator, and predefined bony and soft tissue pelvic floor parameters were measured and compared. Nonparametric statistics were used, with significance considered at P < .05. Subjects were similar in age and body mass index. Levator ani volume was significantly greater in the AA versus the WA group (mean = 26.8 vs 19.8 cm 3, P = .002). The levator-symphysis gap was smaller in the AA (left-18.2, right-18.8 mm) versus the WA group (22.4, 22.6 mm, P = .003, .048) on the left and right. Significant differences were seen in bladder neck position, urethral angle, and the pubic arch angle. The increased muscle bulk and closer puborectalis attachment seen among the African-American nulliparous women may impact the development of pelvic floor dysfunction. These findings need further study.
ISSN:0002-9378
1097-6868
DOI:10.1016/j.ajog.2005.06.060