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Ultrasound imaging in reproductive medicine

Sladkevicius, Povilas LU orcid (2012) p.91-106
Abstract

One in six couples seeks help for infertility during their reproductive years. Subfertility investigations should be performed without delays (because female fertility decreases with age) and should be as noninvasive as possible. Many fertility clinics use diagnostic hysteroscopy to assess the uterine cavity and evaluate the tubal ostia. Laparoscopy is also often used to examine internal pelvic organs and to assess tubal patency. However, both hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are invasive and expensive tests which could be replaced by transvaginal ultrasound examination. Simplified ultrasound-based infertility investigation protocols have been described. The concept of a ‘pivotal’ pelvic ultrasound examination includes an examination of the... (More)

One in six couples seeks help for infertility during their reproductive years. Subfertility investigations should be performed without delays (because female fertility decreases with age) and should be as noninvasive as possible. Many fertility clinics use diagnostic hysteroscopy to assess the uterine cavity and evaluate the tubal ostia. Laparoscopy is also often used to examine internal pelvic organs and to assess tubal patency. However, both hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are invasive and expensive tests which could be replaced by transvaginal ultrasound examination. Simplified ultrasound-based infertility investigation protocols have been described. The concept of a ‘pivotal’ pelvic ultrasound examination includes an examination of the uterus and uterine cavity, endometrium, ovarian morphology and follicular size, blood flow in the uterus and ovaries and hystero-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) to check tubal patency, all performed at the same examination. The late preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle (days 8–12) is usually suggested as the optimal time to perform these examinations. Most studies involving the ultrasound techniques referred to in this chapter are classified as evidence grade B. The aim of the pivotal scan is to assess the uterus, endometrium, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Ultrasound examination is as effective a diagnostic test as hysteroscopy or laparoscopy for the diagnosis of uterine abnormalities. Normal findings at ultrasound examination of the uterus and endometrium are described in Chapter 2. Uterine size and shape may be affected by ade-nomyosis or fibroids. The shape of the uterus can be also be distorted by congenital uterine anomalies.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
gynekologi, reproduktion, ultraljud
host publication
Gynaecological Ultrasound in Clinical Practice : Ultrasound Imaging in the Management of Gynaecological Conditions - Ultrasound Imaging in the Management of Gynaecological Conditions
editor
Jurkovic, Davor ; Valentin, Lil and Vyas, Sanjay
pages
16 pages
publisher
Cambridge University Press
external identifiers
  • scopus:84923609248
ISBN
9781107784703
9781904752295
DOI
10.1017/CBO9781107784703.010
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f86afe7c-70b8-4338-8a3f-3edbec8401dd
date added to LUP
2016-06-09 09:47:36
date last changed
2022-01-30 03:59:15
@inbook{f86afe7c-70b8-4338-8a3f-3edbec8401dd,
  abstract     = {{<p>One in six couples seeks help for infertility during their reproductive years. Subfertility investigations should be performed without delays (because female fertility decreases with age) and should be as noninvasive as possible. Many fertility clinics use diagnostic hysteroscopy to assess the uterine cavity and evaluate the tubal ostia. Laparoscopy is also often used to examine internal pelvic organs and to assess tubal patency. However, both hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are invasive and expensive tests which could be replaced by transvaginal ultrasound examination. Simplified ultrasound-based infertility investigation protocols have been described. The concept of a ‘pivotal’ pelvic ultrasound examination includes an examination of the uterus and uterine cavity, endometrium, ovarian morphology and follicular size, blood flow in the uterus and ovaries and hystero-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) to check tubal patency, all performed at the same examination. The late preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle (days 8–12) is usually suggested as the optimal time to perform these examinations. Most studies involving the ultrasound techniques referred to in this chapter are classified as evidence grade B. The aim of the pivotal scan is to assess the uterus, endometrium, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Ultrasound examination is as effective a diagnostic test as hysteroscopy or laparoscopy for the diagnosis of uterine abnormalities. Normal findings at ultrasound examination of the uterus and endometrium are described in Chapter 2. Uterine size and shape may be affected by ade-nomyosis or fibroids. The shape of the uterus can be also be distorted by congenital uterine anomalies.</p>}},
  author       = {{Sladkevicius, Povilas}},
  booktitle    = {{Gynaecological Ultrasound in Clinical Practice : Ultrasound Imaging in the Management of Gynaecological Conditions}},
  editor       = {{Jurkovic, Davor and Valentin, Lil and Vyas, Sanjay}},
  isbn         = {{9781107784703}},
  keywords     = {{gynekologi; reproduktion; ultraljud}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  pages        = {{91--106}},
  publisher    = {{Cambridge University Press}},
  title        = {{Ultrasound imaging in reproductive medicine}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107784703.010}},
  doi          = {{10.1017/CBO9781107784703.010}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}