Comparison between transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasonography for identifying endometrial malignancies

Gynecol Obstet Invest. 1995;40(4):271-3. doi: 10.1159/000292351.

Abstract

Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is generally considered superior to transabdominal ultrasound (TAS) in the estimation of endometrial abnormalities. A disadvantage of TVS is the limited field of view. The purpose of this study is a comparison between TAS and TVS for endometrial cancer screening. Ninety-one postmenopausal women were included. They were evaluated by TAS, TVS, and endometrial tissue sampling. The mean endometrial thickness estimated by TVS was larger than that obtained by TAS (p < 0.0001). Sensitivity and specificity of TAS were 83.3 and 58.8% and of TVS 100 and 54.1%, respectively. We conclude that TVS might be superior to TAS, especially in patients with a retroflexed uterus.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Endometrium / diagnostic imaging
  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Ultrasonography / standards
  • Vagina