title: Consider ultrasound first for imaging the female pelvis.
abstract: Ultrasound technology has evolved dramatically in recent years and now includes applications such as 3-dimensional volume imaging, real-time evaluation of pelvic organs (simultaneous with the physical examination), and Doppler blood flow mapping without the need for contrast, which makes ultrasound imaging unique for imaging the female pelvis. Among the many cross-sectional imaging techniques, we should use the most informative, less invasive, and less expensive modality to avoid radiation when possible. Hence, ultrasound imaging should be the first imaging modality used in women with pelvic symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Diagnostic Ultrasound Associates, Brookline, MA. Electronic address: dua.ultrasound@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Beryl R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Benacerraf
authors.affiliation: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA.
authors.forename: Alfred Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Abuhamad
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Diagnostic Ultrasound Associates, Brookline, MA.
authors.forename: Bryann
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bromley
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Diagnostic Ultrasound Associates, Brookline, MA.
authors.forename: Yvette
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Groszmann
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Diagnostic Ultrasound Associates, Brookline, MA.
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Shipp
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Ilan E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Timor-Tritsch
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods
keywords: 3D ultrasound imaging; female pelvis; tenderness guided imaging