role of transvaginal sonography in the evaluation of corpus luteum function

ABSTRACT

Twenty seven women were studied in their mid-luteal phase using transvaginal sonography [TVS] in order to investigate the correlation between the morphology of the corpus luteum [CL] as detected by TVS and its function as detected by serum progesterone level and endometrial biopsy. The present study revealed a significant increase of oval CL, peripheral CL, empty CL and isoechoic endometrium in cases with serum progesterone < 3 ng/ml [i.e. anovulatory] more than cases >/ 3 ng/ml [i.e. ovulatory]. Partial triple line sign of the endometrium was significanlty increased in luteal phase defect cases than in normal secretory cases. There was no significant difference as regard corpus luteum site, size, borders, echogenicity or wall thickness in relation to serum progesterone level. The association between CL findings by TVS and secretory state of the endometrium was insignificant. No solid information given by TVS can detect precisely the corpus luteum adequacy. So, TVS of CL alone can not diagnose luteal phase defect. Endometrial biopsy is still the golden standard for evaluation of the luteal phase of the patient and the corpus luteum function