The contribution of pelvic ultrasonography to the diagnostic process in pediatric and adolescent gynecology.

We suggest that using the sonographic examination as an integral part of the work-up may save the physician and the patient from an unpleasant and uninformative examination, and avid EUA or unnecessary surgery. The type or sonographic examination should be determined by what is known, the equipment available, and the age and past history of the patient. In our institution the transabdominal approach is the choice for any nonsexually active female and the transvaginal approach is the procedure of choice for those females who are emotionally mature and sexually active. This review is addressed to the clinicians taking care of the pediatric and adolescent population. We wish to stress the importance of the sonographic evaluation as an immediate tool for the evaluation of suspected pelvic pathology, gender identity, and sexual-development disorders. We find it convenient and accurate, and feel that in children and young women with such pelvic complaints, it should be considered an important step in the diagnostic process.