Adnexal and cul-de-sac abnormalities: transvaginal sonography

Sixty-seven patients selectively chosen from 354 undergoing conventional transabdominal (TA) sonography for evaluation of a clinically suspected adnexal mass subsequently underwent transvaginal (TV) sonography either because the TA sonograms were technically suboptimal or because it was not possible to characterize with certainty an abnormality identified with TA sonography. TV sonography added diagnostically useful information in 25 of 28 patients with cystic pathologic changes in the adnexa uteri. Eight of 12 patients with tuboovarian abscess and nonspecific adnexal masses visualized with TA sonography had tube-shaped fluid collections characteristic of pyosalpinx identified with TV sonography. TV sonography added diagnostically useful information in all seven patients with diseases of the cul-de-sac (rectouterine fossa) and allowed differentiation of adnexal from primary uterine disease in three patients with TA sonograms on which findings were equivocal. It also expedited the diagnosis of a tubal pregnancy in ten of 14 patients and was useful in the detection of adhesions and perforated intrauterine devices. These results indicate that adjunctive TV sonography can provide important diagnostic information.     

Endometrial evaluation with transvaginal US and hysterosonography in asymptomatic postmenopausal women with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen

PURPOSE: To determine performance characteristics of transvaginal ultrasonography (US) and hysterosonography for diagnosing endometrial abnormality in asymptomatic postmenopausal women with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors prospectively examined 138 women receiving tamoxifen by using transvaginal US, hysterosonography, and office hysteroscopy. The combined hysteroscopic-histopathologic diagnosis was the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and likelihood ratios of transvaginal US and hysterosonography were calculated. RESULTS: All 138 women underwent transvaginal US; 104, successful hysterosonography; and 117, successful hysteroscopy. Uterine abnormality was present in 47 (40.2%) of 117 women: 45 with polyps and two with submucosal fibroids. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed 6 mm to be the optimal endometrial thickness cutoff for diagnosing endometrial abnormalities. When a thickness greater than 6 mm or a focal endometrial finding was considered abnormal, transvaginal US had a sensitivity of 85.1% and a specificity of 55.7%. In 92 women who completed transvaginal US, hysterosonography, and hysteroscopy, hysterosonography was more specific (79.2%; P =.008) but not significantly more sensitive (89.7%; P =.508) than transvaginal US. When women with abnormal transvaginal US findings were further examined with hysterosonography, the sequential combination of transvaginal US and hysterosonography was more specific (77.1%) than transvaginal US alone (P <.001), without a significant decrease in sensitivity (78.7%; P =.25). CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic postmenopausal women receiving tamoxifen, 6 mm is the optimal endometrial thickness cutoff for diagnosing endometrial abnormalities with transvaginal US. Further examination with hysterosonography can improve specificity by reducing the high false-positive rate of transvaginal US.     

Ectopic pregnancy: features at transvaginal sonography.

A retrospective review of the transvaginal sonograms of 50 women with laparoscopically confirmed ectopic pregnancy was performed to determine whether certain sonographic findings can be detected to confirm the diagnosis. Forty-seven of the 50 pregnancies were tubal. A tubal ring (a 1-3-cm mass consisting of a 2-4-mm concentric, echogenic rim of tissue surrounding a hypoechoic center) was seen in 23 of 34 (68%) ectopic pregnancies in which the fallopian tube had not ruptured, and the tubal ring could be distinguished from a corpus luteum cyst in most cases. Transvaginal sonography also depicted simple (n = 22) or particulate (bloody) (n = 13) peritoneal fluid associated with ectopic pregnancy. In each case in the series, at least one abnormal uterine, adnexal, or peritoneal finding was detected at transvaginal sonography. Because of its improved resolution of uterine and adnexal structures, transvaginal sonography is recommended as a means for detailed evaluation of patients suspected of having an ectopic pregnancy.     

经阴道彩色多普勒超声诊断宫颈癌的临床研究

目的探讨经阴道彩色多普勒超声检查宫颈癌的影像学特征及其诊断价值。方法选取130例经新柏氏液基细胞学技术(TCT)、宫颈活检和病理检查证实为宫颈上皮内瘤样变(CIN)Ⅰ-Ⅲ级及宫颈癌的病例进行经阴道彩色多普勒检查,对声像图特征及彩色多普勒血流显像(CDFI)结果进行分析。选取同期宫颈视诊和细胞学检查均无异常的41例就诊患者为正常对照。结果由正常宫颈、CIN、宫颈原位癌到宫颈浸润癌,经阴道彩色多普勒超声检查中测量宫颈径线增大、宫颈呈低回声病灶表现的病例逐渐增多,其中宫颈低回声病灶仅出现在宫颈癌中,是宫颈癌的特异性超声影像变化,特异度为100%。宫颈黏膜线缺失是宫颈癌Ⅱ期特有的表现,特异度为100%。CDFI和血流阻力指数(RI)均提示宫颈浸润癌局部血流明显较正常宫颈、CIN和原位癌丰富,宫颈浸润癌Ⅰ期与Ⅱ期之间差异亦有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Kappa分析显示,宫颈径线增大诊断宫颈浸润癌的敏感度和特异度分别为89.1%和82.8%,宫颈低回声病灶在诊断宫颈癌和宫颈浸润癌中的特异度分别为100%和94.8%,树枝状血流分布诊断宫颈浸润癌的特异度为100%。结论经阴道彩色多普勒超声检查在宫颈浸润癌中有较多特征性影像学改变,其诊断可信度较高,对宫颈癌前病变、原位癌的诊断可靠性较低,联合其他辅助检查,可作为宫颈癌诊断以及放疗与化疗前后评价疗效的方法之一。     

Gynecologic imaging: comparison of transabdominal and transvaginal sonography

The sonographic findings in 200 patients who underwent concurrent transabdominal and transvaginal pelvic ultrasound were reviewed. The sonographic techniques were compared for image quality, completeness of anatomic detail depicted, and unique diagnostic information. Transvaginal image quality was better in 79%-87% of scans; transabdominal image quality was better in 3%-5% of scans; images of both techniques were equally good in 10%-18% of scans. The techniques provided equivalent diagnostic information in 60%-84% of cases. Transvaginal sonography was particularly helpful when exclusion of ectopic pregnancy was the clinical concern. Individual organs and fine structures were better seen transvaginally, but the regional survey offered by the transabdominal full-bladder approach remains necessary to provide anatomic orientation, particularly when the patient has not been studied previously.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: evaluation with sonography.

To determine the normal postoperative appearance of gallstones in the common duct at ultrasound (US) examination, the significance of fluid collections after surgery, and the usefulness of routine postoperative scanning, US of the right upper quadrant was performed in 106 consecutive patients 24 hours after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The location, volume, and appearance of fluid collections were recorded. The maximum diameter of the common duct was measured in all patients and compared with preoperative measurements in 58 patients. Small fluid collections were identified in the gallbladder fossa in 56 patients (53.0%). Fluid collections did not correlate with fever or white blood cell count. In 15 of 58 patients, the diameter of the common duct had increased on the postoperative scan. This did not correlate with alkaline phosphatase or bilirubin levels. One hundred one patients (95.3%) were discharged the day after surgery. Routine US performed the day after surgery did not alter management; the authors conclude that it is unwarranted in their group of patients.     

Neuromuscular diseases: evaluation with high-frequency sonography

Forty-four patients with clinically suspected neuromuscular disease and 12 healthy volunteers underwent high-frequency ultrasound examination of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and biceps brachii muscles, and the number of perimysial septa was determined. These numbers and muscle/soft-tissue ratios of the lower extremity were compared. Findings were correlated with results of muscle biopsy in all patients with suspected disease. Using the number of perimysial septa in the lower extremity, the authors found significant differences between the muscles of healthy volunteers and those of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophies, other muscular dystrophies, and spinal muscular atrophies: The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that an average of 12 perimysial septa within 1 cm of muscle is the ideal cutoff value to differentiate subjects without morphologic changes from those with pathologic findings. The authors conclude that this measurement is useful for differentiation of neuromuscular diseases and may be a noninvasive, reproducible means with which to evaluate disease progression.     

Mediastinal tumors: evaluation with suprasternal sonography

Twelve patients with mediastinal masses evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and histologically verified were evaluated sonographically by means of the suprasternal approach. Eleven of 12 mediastinal tumors could be visualized sonographically, mainly as hypoechoic and perivascularly situated masses, and could be located topographically with a fair degree of certainty. Suprasternal sonography is particularly useful in the detection of small, perivascular lymphomas of the supraaortic branches. In patients with problematic CT findings, particularly children and patients with allergies to contrast media, suprasternal sonography can provide important additional information. Moreover, suprasternal sonography can be used to determine the consistency and to monitor the treatment of mediastinal tumors. Finally, the suprasternal approach is suitable for sonographically guided biopsies of mediastinal tumors.     

经阴道声像学造影在不孕症中的应用

经阴道声像造影术用于输卵管阻塞必不孕症的诊断和治疗．是近年来医学工作者采用的一种先进方法．我们采用此方法规察患者50例，取得良好效果，现报道如下。     

Optic neuritis: evaluation with orbital Doppler sonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate orbital blood flow velocities with Doppler sonography in patients with acute unilateral optic neuritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Orbital Doppler sonography was performed in 20 patients with acute unilateral optic neuritis. Optic neuritis was diagnosed by a neurologist on the basis of clinical presentation, presence of decreased visual acuity, and assessment of visual evoked potentials. The peak systolic and end diastolic velocities and the resistive index were measured in the ophthalmic and central retinal arteries of both orbits. The values obtained from affected and unaffected orbits were compared by using the paired t test. RESULTS: The peak systolic and end diastolic velocities in the ophthalmic artery were significantly increased in the affected orbits (for peak systolic velocity P <.001, for end diastolic velocity P <.05). Resistive indexes in the ophthalmic arteries did not differ (P >.05). The difference between the peak systolic and end diastolic velocities and resistive indexes in the central retinal arteries of affected and normal eyes was not statistically significant (P >.05). CONCLUSION: Peak systolic and end diastolic velocities in the ophthalmic artery are increased in patients with acute optic neuritis.     

Transperineal and transvaginal sonography of perianal inflammatory disease

OBJECTIVE: Perianal infection arises in small intersphincteric anal glands predominantly located at the dentate line. Documentation of fluid collections and the relationship of inflammatory tracts to the sphincter mechanism is important for surgical treatment. Transanal sonography for assessment of perianal inflammatory disease is limited because placement of the rigid probe into the anal canal does not allow assessment of disease in the perineal region. The purpose of this study was to validate the use of transperineal sonography in men and both transvaginal and transperineal sonography in women for evaluation of perianal inflammatory disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients, 28 men and 26 women, were imaged with transperineal and a combination of transperineal and transvaginal sonography, respectively. All patients were examined in the supine lithotomy and left lateral position with a transvaginal 8-to 4-MHz probe or a linear 12- to 7-MHz transducer. All fluid collections, sinus tracts, and fistulas were described by their location in relation to the sphincter mechanism and perineum. RESULTS: Forty-six of 54 patients had perianal fistulas or sinus tracts: 33 transphincteric, seven intersphincteric, and six extrasphincteric. Fifteen patients had an associated abscess. In the eight remaining patients, there were two anovaginal fistulas, one rectovaginal fistula, one prolapsed internal hemorrhoid, two perianal complex masses, and two vascular perianal or perirectal inflammatory masses. Twenty-six patients underwent surgical procedures involving the anorectal canal or perirectal region, and of these, preoperative sonographic findings were confirmed in 22 (85%) of 26 patients. Three patients refused surgery, and six are awaiting surgery at this writing. Fifteen patients were treated conservatively. CONCLUSION: Transperineal and transvaginal sonography are accurate, painless, and cost-effective methods for documenting perianal fluid collections and fistulas or sinus tracts or both.     

False-normal appearance of the endometrium on conventional transvaginal sonography: comparison with saline hysterosonography.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to assess the utility of transvaginal saline hysterosonography in patients presenting with a normal-appearing endometrium on conventional transvaginal pelvic sonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1997 and October 1999, 180 patients underwent saline hysterosonography for abnormal vaginal bleeding. All patients had conventional transvaginal pelvic sonography before saline hysterosonography. On conventional transvaginal sonography, the sonographic appearance of the endometrium was classified according to the following parameters: normal or abnormal thickness, homogeneous or heterogeneous echogenicity, bulbous contour, discontinuous, or obscured. A comparison was performed between the endometrial appearance on conventional transvaginal sonography with that of the uterine cavity on saline hysterosonography. RESULTS: Saline hysterosonography showed abnormalities in 114 patients. Polyps were identified in 53 patients, submucosal leiomyomas in 37 patients, uterine anomalies in two patients, a uterine anomaly and a submucosal leiomyoma in one patient, uterine synechiae in three patients, a synechia and a polyp in one patient, thick endometrial walls in six patients, nondistensible cavities in two patients, and polyps and submucosal leiomyomas in nine patients. Sixteen (14%) of 114 patients showed abnormalities (polyps and submucosal leiomyomas) on saline hysterosonography despite normal-appearing endometria on conventional transvaginal sonography. CONCLUSION: Conventional transvaginal pelvic sonography does not appear to be a screening procedure of sufficient diagnostic value in the symptomatic patient with abnormal vaginal bleeding. In patients presenting with the chief complaint of abnormal vaginal bleeding, diagnostic evaluation with a saline hysterosonogram may be warranted despite normal findings on a transvaginal pelvic sonogram.