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 Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by O’Neill, M. J. Articles by Mueller, P. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by O’Neill, M. J. Articles by Mueller, P. R. Related Collections Obstetric/Gynecologic Radiology Vascular and/or Interventional Radiology

Transvaginal Interventional Procedures: Aspiration, Biopsy, and Catheter Drainage¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114. Presented as a scientific exhibit at the 1999 RSNA scientific assembly. Received September 29, 2000; revision requested October 19; final revision received February 15, 2001; accepted February 16. Address correspondence to M.J.O. (e-mail: moneill@partners.org).

Transvaginal ultrasonographically (US) guided procedures are simple and safe and often represent the only means of access to pelvic disease. Aspiration of cystic pelvic masses and core biopsy of solid pelvic masses can be easily performed by using the transvaginal route, an endoluminal US transducer, and a needle guide. Because of concerns about false-negative diagnosis and potential tumor seeding with biopsy of primary ovarian cystic lesions, the indications for transvaginal aspiration and biopsy of ovarian and adnexal lesions are predominantly therapeutic. Similarly, using an endoluminal probe with modification of the guide, one can also perform safe and effective trocar catheter drainage of pelvic abscesses via the transvaginal route. The transvaginal route is ideally suited to pelvic abscess drainage because of the proximity of the vaginal fornices to most pelvic fluid collections. The transvaginal route has the disadvantage of being semisterile; because of the risk of superinfecting previously noninfected pelvic pathologic conditions, the transvaginal approach should be used only for solid lesions or cystic lesions that can be completely aspirated. Familiarity with the transvaginal route of access is crucial for adequate treatment of many gynecologic and nongynecologic pelvic pathologic conditions.

Index Terms: Ovary, cysts, 85.311 • Pelvic organs, abscess, 85.211, 85.2174 • Pelvic organs, interventional procedures, 85.126

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Saokar, R. S. Arellano, D. A. Gervais, P. R. Mueller, P. F. Hahn, and S. I. Lee Transvaginal Drainage of Pelvic Fluid Collections: Results, Expectations, and Experience Am. J. Roentgenol., November 1, 2008; 191(5): 1352 - 1358. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]