Pelvic inclination correction system for magnetic resonance imaging analysis of pelvic organ prolapse in upright position

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Pelvic organ prolapse quantification by means of upright magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising research field. This study determines the angle for the pelvic inclination correction system (PICS) for upright patient position, which is hypothesized to deviate from the supine PICS angle. The necessity of different PICS angles for various patient positions will also be discussed.

Methods

Magnetic resonance scans of 113 women, acquired in an upright patient position, were used to determine the upright PICS angle, defined as the angle between the sacrococcygeal–inferior pubic point (SCIPP) line and the horizontal line. The difference and correlation between the upright and supine PICS angles were calculated using the paired Student’s t-test and the Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) respectively. The effect of the difference between the upright and supine PICS angle on the measured pelvic organ extent was calculated using goniometry.

Results

The mean (interquartile range) PICS angles were 29° (26–35°) for the upright and 33° (30–37°) for the supine patient position. They were significantly different (p<0.001) and very strongly correlated (r = 0.914, p<0.001). The 4° difference between the average upright and supine PICS angle results in an average underestimation of the measured cervix height of approximately 0.5 cm for patients scanned in upright position.

Conclusions

The PICS angle for the upright patient position is 29°. The use of a dedicated PICS angle for different patient positions allows for more accurate pelvic organ extent analysis in patients with prolapse.