Role of three-dimensional ultrasonographic measurement of endometrium volume as a predictor of pregnancy outcome in an IVF-ET program: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonographic measurement of the endometrium in predicting pregnancy in an IVF-ET program.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Center for assisted reproductive techniques.


METHODS
65 women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF.


METHODS
Ultrasonographic examination on the day of hCG administration.


METHODS
Endometrial volume, endometrial thickness, and pregnancy rate.


RESULTS
The mean (+/-SD) endometrium volume (4.16 +/- 1.97 mL), endometrium thickness (11 +/- 2 mm), and estradiol level (1686.82 +/- 1057.10 pg/mL) in 21 pregnant women on the day of hCG administration did not differ statistically differ from the respective values in 44 nonpregnant women (4.53 +/- 1.79 mL; 11 +/- 2 mm, 1883.56 +/- 1147.21 pg/mL). Receiver-operating characteristic curves showed that the area under curve (AUC) was 0.57 for endometrial volume and 0.48 for endometrial thickness. Using a cut-off value of 2.5 mL for endometrial volume to predict pregnancy, results of the Fisher exact test were statistically significant. No significant cut-off value was found for endometrial thickness.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometrial volume and thickness on the day of hCG administration did not predict occurrence of pregnancy. A minimum volume of 2.5 mL appeared to favor pregnancy. The predictive value of 3D ultrasonographic measurement of endometrial volume and thickness was better than that of 2D measurement.
Yaman
C
C
Department of Assisted Reproduction, Women's General Hospital, Lederergasse, Linz, Austria. yaman@aon.atm
Ebner
T
T
Sommergruber
M
M
Pölz
W
W
Tews
G
G
D001317:Austria; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D004958:Estradiol