From the Research
Ultrasound is the primary imaging modality for assessing the uterine wall, with several key applications in gynecological and obstetric care, as supported by the most recent study 1. The key applications of ultrasound in uterine wall assessment include:
- Evaluation of uterine wall thickness, which is crucial for detecting abnormalities such as adenomyosis and fibroids
- Assessment of placental implantation disorders like placenta accreta in pregnancy
- Identification of cesarean scar defects or dehiscence in women with previous cesarean deliveries
- Detailed examination of the endometrium-myometrium interface using transvaginal ultrasound
- Evaluation of endometrial pathologies that may affect the inner uterine wall
- Visualization of blood flow patterns using color Doppler capabilities to distinguish between various pathologies and evaluate vascular invasion in cases of malignancy
- Volumetric assessment of the uterus and better spatial orientation of lesions within the uterine wall using three-dimensional ultrasound
The use of ultrasound in uterine wall assessment is preferred due to its wide availability, lack of radiation, real-time imaging capability, and cost-effectiveness compared to other imaging modalities like MRI or CT, as noted in the study 1. Additionally, emerging techniques such as saline infusion sonohysterography, elastography, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography may contribute to improving diagnostic accuracy in selected cases, as mentioned in the study 2.
The most recent study 1 recommends transvaginal ultrasound as the initial diagnostic modality for uterine fibroids due to its accessibility and high sensitivity, and highlights the importance of standardizing descriptions of transvaginal ultrasound images according to updated classifications.
Overall, ultrasound plays a crucial role in the assessment of the uterine wall, and its applications continue to evolve with advances in technology and techniques, as supported by the studies 3, 4, 2, 1, 5.