title: Usefulness of transabdominal ultrasonography in excluding adnexal disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the final diagnoses and examine the rate of detection of normal ovaries in patients with negative results for adnexa on transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS) using current machines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 188 eligible patients who underwent TAUS to assess lower abdominal pain, 158 were subsequently evaluated using other imaging modalities, surgical procedures, follow-up, or questionnaire data. Of these patients, 135 patients with negative results for adnexa on TAUS were included in the investigation of the final diagnoses. The rate of detection of normal ovaries on TAUS was calculated on a per-ovary basis in these patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred thirty-three (98.5%) and two (1.5%) patients were finally diagnosed with non-adnexal diseases and adnexitis, respectively. The rate of detection of 270 ovaries in 135 patients was 38.9%, while that of 148 ovaries in 74 patients between 16 and 45 years of age was 66.2% and that of 122 ovaries in 61 patients over 45 years of age was 5.7% (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TAUS appears to be the first step for ruling out adnexal disease in patients with lower abdominal pain. The rate of detection of normal ovaries is good in younger patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, 911-1 Takebayashi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 321-0974, Japan. kamekame@pb3.so-net.ne.jp.
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kameda
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, 911-1 Takebayashi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 321-0974, Japan.
authors.forename: Fukiko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, 911-1 Takebayashi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 321-0974, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kobori
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adnexa; Ovary; Transabdominal ultrasonography