HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jorizzo, J. R. Articles by Carr, J. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Jorizzo, J. R. Articles by Carr, J. J. Related Collections Obstetric/Gynecologic Radiology Ultrasound

Sonohysterography: The Next Step in the Evaluation of the Abnormal Endometrium¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088. Recipient of a Certificate of Merit award for a scientific exhibit at the 1998 RSNA scientific assembly. Received February 1, 1999; revision requested March 17 and received April 15; accepted April 15. Address reprint requests to J.R.J.

Sonohysterography is a simple ultrasound (US) procedure that may be used to evaluate the endometrium. The technique involves placement of a 5-F catheter into the endometrial canal with subsequent instillation of sterile saline solution under US guidance. Fifty patients successfully underwent sonohysterography because of apparent abnormal endometrial thickening at transvaginal US, a nonspecific finding. Patients tolerated this procedure well, and no complications were encountered. In the 39 patients who proved to have endometrial pathologic conditions, sonohysterography demonstrated focal processes (polyps, carcinoma, hamartoma) in 15, diffuse processes (hyperplasia, secretory endometrium) in 21, and both focal and diffuse pathologic conditions in three. If a focal process can be delineated, a visually directed biopsy may be necessary. However, if the process is diffuse, a blind aspiration biopsy may be performed on an outpatient basis. In the majority of patients, the diffuse or focal nature of the disease could not be predicted on the basis of initial transvaginal US. Because sonohysterography allows distinction between diffuse and focal abnormalities, it provides physicians with a cost-effective way to plan the next step in case management.

Index Terms: Uterine neoplasms, 854.3199, 854.32 • Uterus, diseases, 854.3199 • Uterus, endometrium, 854.3199, 854.32 • Uterus, hemorrhage • Uterus, US, 854.1298