Transvaginal ultrasonography and the assessment of luteal phase endometrium.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine if ultrasonography of the endometrium could be used to identify in a noninvasive manner patients with luteal phase defects.


METHODS
Patients underwent midluteal transvaginal ultrasonography with photographing of the endometrial image, an endometrial biopsy, and two serum hormonal profiles. The ultrasonographic images were graded and compared with the histologic results and the serum hormonal profiles.


RESULTS
There was a trend toward a higher grade image being associated with normal histologic studies. There was no significant difference between the mean hormonal profiles in patients with normal and those with abnormal biopsy specimens. There was no significant difference between the hormonal values drawn before and those drawn after the biopsies.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the endometrial appearance on ultrasonography appears to reflect secretory transformation, it cannot replace endometrial biopsy for full evaluation of luteal endometrial development. Short-term variability in serum concentrations of midluteal hormones was not demonstrated.
Doherty
C M
CM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Silver
B
B
Binor
Z
Z
Molo
M W
MW
Radwanska
E
E
D001706:Biopsy; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008183:Luteal Phase; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014621:Vagina
D006728:Hormones