Comparison of transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound for monitoring follicular development in an in-vitro fertilization programme.
Although nowadays most oocyte retrievals for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) are performed using a transvaginal, ultrasound-directed technique, monitoring of follicular development is still often performed via the abdominal route. On the bases of 106 sonographies carried out on 71 patients during ovulation monitoring within an IVF programme, we demonstrated that the number of follicles visualized endovaginally was significantly higher than that visualized by the abdominal route: n = 1124 versus n = 772 respectively, and that their size was significantly greater using the transvaginal approach: 20.8 mm versus 18.8 mm respectively, for the largest follicle. Consequently, if ovulation monitoring is carried out transvaginally, the follicular size criteria on which human chorionic gonadotrophin is administered must be reconsidered.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hôpital Boucicaut, Paris, France.
J
J
Belaisch-Allart
C
C
Dufêtre
J P
JP
Allart
J
J
De Mouzon
D000005:Abdomen; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014621:Vagina
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin