Ultrasound in Pelvic Floor Assessment and Endometriosis FAQs
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When referring a patient for this examination, please ensure the referral clearly states “pelvic floor ultrasound.” If the request only says “pelvic ultrasound,” the scan performed may not be booked at the correct centres or include an assessment of the pelvic floor.
A pelvic floor ultrasound can also be carried out in combination with a standard pelvic ultrasound. This is often helpful if information about the uterus and ovaries is required, if gynaecological pathology is suspected, or if the patient will be undergoing a hysterectomy or other surgical intervention.
In some cases, a pelvic floor assessment may also be completed alongside other imaging modalities, such as MRI or a defaecogram (particularly when evaluating posterior compartment prolapse).
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Pelvic floor ultrasound is a subspecialised examination and is not available at all Queensland X-Ray practices.
Queensland X-Ray currently offers this service at the following locations: Sunnybank Women’s Imaging Centre, Mater Women’s Imaging Centre, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane, Mater Mackay, 189 Lake Street Cairns, Gold Coast Airport Central, Gold Coast Private Hospital, Broadbeach, and across our Toowoomba practices.
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Pelvic floor imaging can help to assess, monitor, and diagnose a range of conditions.
- Patients with symptoms of prolapse (lump, dragging, or bulging sensation).
- Patients with urinary incontinence (stress or urge).
- Patients with bowel dysfunction (defecatory disorders, possible rectocele/enterocele).
- Complex or uncertain cases where multi-compartment involvement is suspected.
- Patients who have had prior prolapse surgery and a recurrence is suspected.
- Lumps and suspected cysts or enlarged glands
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- Organ prolapse (cystocele, uterine prolapse, rectocele, or enterocele).
- Urethral diverticulum.
- Cycstic lesions (including Bartholin’s cysts, Skene’s duct cysts, Gartner’s duct cysts)
- Stress incontinence (bladder neck funnelling, descent, rotation).
- Levator ani and puborectalis muscle integrity/dysfunction (including obstetric trauma-related changes)
- Location and assessment of tapes/slings
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No. Pelvic floor ultrasound is performed externally, with the probe placed on the perineum. It is done at rest, during valsalva (bearing down), and pelvic floor contraction.
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The exam begins with the patient supine, performing manoeuvres such as valsalva and contraction. It is usually repeated with the patient standing to better demonstrate prolapse.
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Ultrasound is effective for detecting ovarian endometriomas and deep infiltrating endometriosis (rectum, bladder, bowel, uterosacral ligaments).
MRI is often used to stage endometriosis.
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Superficial peritoneal deposits associated with early-stage endometriosis (stage 1–2) are usually not visible on imaging. However, ultrasound is highly reliable for identifying ovarian endometriomas, deep infiltrating endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, and nodules.
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All pelvic ultrasounds will have a thorough gynaecological assessment at any Queensland X-Ray clinic. Any patient with suspected endometriosis related pathology will be often be referred to our Specialist clinics for an extended assessment and report.
Any referral stating Endometriosis should be booked at out specialist centres:
- Sunnybank Women's Imaging Centre
- Mater women’s Centre.
- Wynnum
- Bayside
- Logan Road
- Bowen Hills
- Mater Springfield
- Taringa
- St. Vincents Brisbane.