[Use of transvaginal ultrasonography in the early diagnosis of endometrial neoplasia].
The paper examined the efficacy of transvaginal sonography in measuring the endometrium in menopausal women. The study included 50 women, both asymptomatic and with metrorrhagia, all of whom had been in menopause for at least 1 year and were under 75 years old. In symptomatic patients sonographic findings were compared with histological tests. Histological correlation was only performed in asymptomatic patients with endometrial findings of over 8 mm or in those undergoing surgery for other pathologies. Sonography revealed a good level of correlation with histological findings. Endometrial lines measuring less than 8 mm had no pathological significance. On the contrary, in those cases over 8 mm it was important to evaluate the overall morphological significance of sonographic findings and for this purpose histological diagnosis was necessary. Ten hyperplastic forms and 2 endometrial adenocarcinoma were diagnosed in this group. In terms of the sonographic image the hyperplastic forms appeared as a thick, highly reflective and well defined endometrial layer; on the contrary, carcinoma appeared as an irregular, highly reflective area with the loss of the hypoechogenic peripheral halo. The authors conclude that this easily performed and minimally invasive method is of value as as screening method for endometrial carcinoma and should be recommended for women receiving replacement therapy.
Ferreri
S
S
Divisione di Ostetricia e Ginecologia, Ospedale, Degli Infermi di Rivoli TO.
Chiappa
A
A
Cassolini
G M
GM
Fantoni
A
A
Panazzolo
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D017698:Postmenopause; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014621:Vagina