TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF UTERINE SEPTA

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the sensitivity of transvaginal ultrasound as a screening tool in diagnosing patients with uterine septa. STUDY DESI GN: In this descriptive, retrospective study, the medical records of a ll patients who had hysteroscopic resection of uterine septa between 1 990 and 1996 were reviewed. Specific pre-operative imaging techniques were noted, and the sensitivity of transvaginal ultrasonography in cor rectly identifying the septum was calculated. RESULTS: During the seve n-year period, 27 of 39 total patients undergoing hysteroscopic metrop lasty had preoperative transvaginal ultrasonography. Twenty-two of the 27 ultrasonography in correctly identified the uterine septum, for a sensitivity of 81%. CONCLUSION: This was the largest study to date tha t specifically assessed the sensitivity of transvaginal ultrasonograph y as a reliable method of diagnosing uterine septa. It appears justifi able to use it as the initial screening tool for an accurate evaluatio n of uterine septa.