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Quantifying vaginal tissue elasticity under normal and prolapse conditions by tactile imaging

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Vaginal tactile imaging (VTI) is based on principles similar to those of manual palpation. The objective of this study is to assess the clinical suitability of new approach for imaging and tissue elasticity quantification under normal and prolapse conditions.

Methods

The study subjects included 31 women with normal and prolapse conditions. The tissue elasticity (Young’s modulus) was calculated from spatial gradients in the resulting 3-D tactile images.

Results

Average values for tissue elasticity for the anterior and posterior compartments for normal conditions were 7.4 ± 4.3 kPa and 6.2 ± 3.1 kPa respectively. For Stage III prolapse the average values for tissue elasticity for anterior and posterior compartments were 1.8 ± 0.7 kPa and 1.8 ± 0.5 kPa respectively.

Conclusions

VTI may serve as a means for 3-D imaging of the vagina and a quantitative assessment of vaginal tissue elasticity, providing important information for furthering our understanding of pelvic organ prolapse and surgical treatment.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

One-way analysis of variance

E :

Young’s modulus

POP:

Pelvic organ prolapse

POP-Q:

Pelvic organ prolapse quantification system

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

VTI:

Vaginal tactile imager

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Noune Sarvazyan, PhD, and Armen Sarvazyan, PhD, DSc, for editing assistant and support of this research; Randee Weed, MS, RDMS, for clinical research documentation and data management; Robin Haff, RN, BSN, for study coordination; and Milind Patel for technical assistance with the device. The work was supported by the National Institute on Aging, USA, grant AG034714.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Artann Laboratories, 1459 Lower Ferry Rd., Trenton, NJ, 08618, USA

    Vladimir Egorov

  2. Princeton Urogynecology, 601 Ewing Street, Suite B-19, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA

    Heather van Raalte

  3. The Institute for Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, 3050 Hamilton Blvd, Suite 200, Allentown, PA, 18104, USA

    Vincent Lucente

Authors
  1. Vladimir Egorov
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  2. Heather van Raalte
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  3. Vincent Lucente
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Correspondence to Vladimir Egorov.

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Egorov, V., van Raalte, H. & Lucente, V. Quantifying vaginal tissue elasticity under normal and prolapse conditions by tactile imaging. Int Urogynecol J 23, 459–466 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1592-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1592-z

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