title: Uterine changes after dilation and curettage: MR imaging findings.
abstract: To determine what, if any, changes occur in the appearance of the uterus on magnetic resonance (MR) images after dilation and curettage (D&C), nine women without endometrial abnormality underwent imaging before D&C and on day 2 and day 7 after D&C. On day 2, markedly hypointense curvilinear areas in the endometrial canal were noted on MR images in all patients (P = .0002). By day 7, these areas decreased in size in five (62%) and completely resolved in the rest (P = .022). There was no significant change in the width of the endometrial stripe or in the width or signal intensity of the junctional zone or myometrium after D&C. The junctional zone was focally disrupted in one patient who underwent D&C that was complicated by a uterine perforation. Therefore, curvilinear areas of low signal intensity (most likely representing clot) in the endometrial canal were visualized on MR images within 2 days of uncomplicated D&C and decreased in size or resolved over time. Significant widening of the endometrial stripe or disruption of the junctional zone was not observed after uncomplicated D&C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06504.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ascher
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Scoutt
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: DeCherney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004107:Dilatation and Curettage; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D009215:Myometrium / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery