Transvaginal sonohysterographic evaluation of uterine malformations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value and the usefulness of sonohysterography (SHG) in the detection of uterine anomalies, compared with other diagnostic methods. STUDY DESIGN: From January 2002 to December 2003, we collected 54 patients with a history of primary or secondary infertility or repeated spontaneous abortion and with a clinically or sonographically suspected abnormal uterus. All patients had previously undergone hysterosalpingography (ISG). All patients were examined by standard transvaginal ultrasound. Sonohysterography was then carried out by the intrauterine injection of an isotonic saline solution. Suspected uterine anomalies were also confirmed by hysteroscopy (HS) and/or laparoscopy. RESULTS: Sonohysterography was able to detect all the anomalies. The sensitivity and specificity of sonohysterography were the same as for hysteroscopy. However, there was no significant difference between the diagnostic capabilities of the methods analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal sonohysterography with saline solution is a low-cost, easy, and helpful examination method for uterine malformations. We propose that sonohysterography should be performed for the primary investigation of infertility and repeated miscarriages.

The value of sonohysterography in detecting intracavitary benign abnormalities.

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the diagnostic value and the usefulness of sonohysterography in the detection of uterine intracavitary benign abnormalities, compared with other diagnostic methods (transvaginal ultrasonography and diagnostic hysteroscopy). From January 2003 to December 2003, a total of 73 patients (47 premenopausal (middle age 38.9) and 26 postmenopausal women (middle age 60.5)) underwent transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) and sonohysterography (SHG), consisting of an intrauterine infusion of saline solution during transvaginal ultrasound. The women referred to our Ultrasonography Center because of intermenstrual (38) or postmenopausal bleeding (19), or an abnormal or a poorly defined endometrial interface (16) as seen as baseline ultrasonography. The findings at TVS and SHG were compared with hysteroscopy (HS). In one case, the SHG was technically impossible to perform. In premenopausal group the sensitivity of SHG had been 100% in detecting submucosal fibroids, endometrial polyps and hyperplasia and 75% in detecting normal uterus. The specificity had been always 100%. In postmenopausal group the sensitivity of SHG had been 75% in detecting submucosal fibroids, 93.8% in endometrial polyps and 100% in hyperplasia and normal uterus. The specificity had been 100% in submucosal fibroids and hyperplasia and had been 90.0 and 95.5% in endometrial polyps and normal uterus, respectively. SHG allows to obtain a precise diagnosis of benign uterine pathology and it is more accurate in the diagnosis of intracavitary abnormalities than that obtained by TVS. Preoperative use of SHG may assist in choosing the best surgical treatment for the patient.