Transvaginal sonohysterography: a new aid in the diagnosis of residual trophoblastic tissue.
OBJECTIVE
The study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal sonohysterography in postabortion and postpartum patients suspected of having residual trophoblastic tissue.


METHODS
Twenty two women with late postabortion and postpartum bleeding were evaluated by transvaginal sonography and transvaginal sonohysterography. The patients were prospectively divided into two groups according to the sonohysterographic findings. Women with an empty uterine cavity or with free-floating masses received conservative treatment. Those with suspected attached residual trophoblastic tissue underwent curettage.


RESULTS
Sonohysterography confirmed the findings of two-dimensional sonography of an empty uterus in 8 patients; however, a free floating endometrial mass was found in 4 patients and that of an empty uterine cavity in another 2 of 14 patients suspected of having residual trophoblastic tissue by the two-dimensional ultrasound. All 14 patients who were treated conservatively ceased bleeding. The 4 patients with a free-floating mass reported ejection of a vaginal mass within 6 days of treatment. Eight patients underwent curettage. Residual trophoblastic tissue was found in all of them.


CONCLUSIONS
Transvaginal sonohysterography is a simple and effective method for the evaluation of residual trophoblastic tissue in patients with postpartum and post-abortion bleeding. Its use may eliminate unnecessary curettage procedures.
Wolman
I
I
Department A of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Serlin Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Israel.
Jaffa
A J
AJ
Pauzner
D
D
Hartoov
J
J
David
M P
MP
Amit
A
A
D000027:Abortion, Incomplete / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003475:Curettage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014621:Vagina