Contribution of transvaginal sonography to the evaluation of benign cervical conditions

Purpose. We evaluated the role of transvaginal sonography in imaging the no rmal cervix and its benign changes. Methods. This prospective study included 512 postmenopausal women who under went transvaginal sonography before hysterectomy and within 15 days of a co lposcopy examination that showed no malignant findings. The sonographic fin dings were compared to the pathology report. Results. Naboth's cysts were the most common sonographic finding (102 cases ), followed by cervicitis (43 cases). In 26 cases, endocervical polyps were found sonographically, and in 20 cases myomas were found. In 321 cases, th e cervix showed no sonographic abnormality. Pathologic studies showed 104 N aboth's cysts, 25 cases of nonspecific cervicitis, 26 endocervical polyps, 21 myomas, and 336 normal cervices. Conclusions. The sensitivity and specificity of transvaginal sonography in diagnosing normal cervices and benign changes of the cervix are high. Trans vaginal sonography provides easily obtainable, reliable information about t he cervix. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.