Author(s)

M. J. Thrippleton, K. I. Munro, G. McKillop, D. E. Newby, I. Marshall, N. Roberts, H. O. Critchley

ISBN

1933-7205 (Electronic) 1933-7191 (Linking)

Publication year

2014

Periodical

Reprod Sci

Periodical Number

Volume

Pages

Author Address

Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Department of Radiology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Clinical Research Imaging Centre, (CRIC) University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom hilary.critchley@ed.ac.uk.

Full version

The aim of our study was to develop a reliable technique for measuring volume of the fibroid uterus using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. We applied the Cavalieri method and standard calliper technique to measure the volume of the uterus and largest fibroid in 26 patients, and results were compared with “gold-standard” planimetry measurements. We found Cavalieri measurements to be unbiased, while calliper measurements systematically underestimated uterine volume (- 13.2%, P < 10-5) and had greater variance. Repeatability was similar for the 2 techniques (standard deviation [SD] = 4.0%-6.9%). Reproducibility of Cavalieri measurements was higher for measurement of uterine (SD = 9.0%) than fibroid volume (SD = 19.1%), whereas the reproducibility of calliper measurements was higher for fibroid (SD = 9.1%) than uterine volume (SD = 15.9%). The additional measurement time for the Cavalieri method was approximately 1 to 2 minutes. In conclusion, the Cavalieri method permits more accurate measurement of uterine and fibroid volumes and is suitable for application in both clinical practice and scientific research.