Transvaginal ultrasound examination of women with and without pelvic venous congestion

AIM: To determine if transvaginal ultrasound, including power Doppler exami nation, can distinguish between women with and without pelvic congestion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six women with pelvic congestion were prospec tively examined using transvaginal ultrasonography and standard uterine and ovarian measurements made. Additionally, planimetric measurements of each ovary were taken using an image analysis program to determine the cross-sec tional area of ovarian stroma and follicles, if any, power Doppler images o f adnexal vessels were obtained and planimetric estimates of surface area c alculated, A congestion score was assigned to each patient, based on vein n umber, diameter and morphology on grey-scale scanning. identical measuremen ts were obtained from 19 asymptomatic women and results compared. RESULTS: There mas no significant difference between women dth pelvic conge stion and controls with respect to power Doppler or grey-scale images of ad nexal vessels, or congestion score. However, women with pelvic congestion h ad significantly larger and multicystic ovaries when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal ultrasound measurements of adnexal vasculature, i ncluding power Doppler measurements, cannot reliably distinguish women with pelvic congestion from controls. However, ultrasound mag remain useful for diagnosis of pelvic congestion, predominantly because it is able to visual ize multi-cystic ovaries in these patients, Halligan, S. et nl. (2000). Cli nical Radiology 954-958. (C) 2000 The Royal College of Radiologists.