Endometrial volume change during spontaneous menstrual cycles: volumetry by transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
At present, only limited data are available on endometrial volume during the menstrual cycle. Most of these studies deal with animal models and use magnetic resonance imaging for volume measuring. The application of three-dimensional ultrasound in endometrial volume estimation is the subject of this study.


METHODS
Patients visiting the outpatient unit of the division of endocrinology and reproductive medicine of a university hospital.


METHODS
Twenty patients with a history of a normal menstrual cycle were selected.


METHODS
Ultrasound examinations were performed during a single menstrual cycle in addition to routine laboratory tests.


METHODS
Uterus-endometrial volume ratio.


RESULTS
Data from 18 patients could be evaluated. In 81 examinations the endometrium volume could be determined. Mean endometrial volume measured by three-dimensional ultrasound was 1.23 cm3. Mean uterus volume was 48.93 cm3. The change of the uterus-endometrial volume ratio showed a good correlation with the day of menstrual cycle. Quadratic regression analysis of volume and cycle length was R2 = 0.432.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional ultrasound allows assessment of volume data of the female internal genitalia. In this study changes of the endometrial volume in menstrual cycles were measured. Additional studies are required to give information on the clinical impact of this new technique of endometrial volume estimation.
Lee
A
A
Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy, University Hospital Vienna, Austria. ANDREAS.LEE@UNIVIE.AC.AT
Sator
M
M
Kratochwil
A
A
Deutinger
J
J
Vytiska-Binsdorfer
E
E
Bernaschek
G
G
D004717:Endometrium / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014621:Vagina