title: The use of ultrasound in the evaluation of trophoblastic disease and its response to therapy.
abstract: Thirty-nine patients  with trophoblastic disease were studied to determine the usefulness of ultrasound in identifying risk patterns and response to therapy. Serial measurements of serum human chorionic gonadotropin-beta subunit (HCG-BSU) were compared with ultrasonographic uterine and theca lutein cyst volumes. In 16 patients ultrasound demonstrated theca lutein cysts, many of which were not palpable on physical examination. Although there was a significant decrease in uterine volume and a change in the sonographic pattern following evacuation, volume slowly returned to normal over a period of several months. Persistent trophoblastic disease was more accurately detected by HCG-BSU measurements than by ultrasound. Persistent disease developed in 44% of those patients who had theca lutein cysts and in 22% of those without cysts. Patients with theca lutein cysts did not consistently have higher HCG-BSU levels than patients without cysts, and it is concluded that ultrasound is the best method for detecting  these cysts.
mesh_terms: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D013798:Thecoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D014328:Trophoblastic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014620:Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin