[Advantages of endosonographic diagnosis in gynecology and obstetrics]

By echographic standards, the first applications of endosonography in gynecology and obstetrics are already in the distant past. However, only the continued development of ultrasonographic scanners and the improved imaging of endosonographic findings resulting from this have made it possible to establish that, with many indications, endosonography is superior to abdominal sonographic diagnosis. Vaginosonography in particular offers much additional information in examination of the true pelvis, especially in patients with extensive adhesions following surgery or radiation therapy, or with inflammations and endometrioses. As a result of the higher resolution, made possible by the use of higher frequencies for examination, there are also advantages in early detection of pregnancy, in assessment of cervix insufficiency, placenta previa, and especially for measurement of the pelvis. Vaginosonography has also enhanced diagnosis in folliculometry, demonstration of the endometrium, and echographically aimed punctures in the true pelvis. However, it also offers an important advantage for the gynecologist, in that he can use it immediately after palpation to clarify any uncertainties (the patient need not have a full bladder). The principal applications of hysterosonography, rectosonography, and cystosonography are in the staging of corpus and cervix carcinomas and in detecting recurrences.