Measurement of the Depth of Myometrium Invasion by Endometrial Carcinoma with Transvaginal Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVES To investigate the role of transvaginal ultrasonography in the measurement of the depth of myometrium invasion by endometrial carcinoma and the evaluation of cervical involvement,thereby providing basis for the establishment of treatment strategy and prediction for the clinical outcome.METHODS The ultrasonographic images of 39 patients who were pathologically confirmed to have endometrial carcinoma were reviewed.The features of ultrasonographic images were summarized,as well as features of the blood flow and resistance index(RI).The depth of myometrium invasion and the cervical involvement detected by ultrasound were compared with the results of postoperative pathological examination.The accuracy rates were calculated.RESULTS The ultrasonography revealed diffuse or local thickening of the endometrium in all of the 39 cases,with uneven echoes.Some of the cases had concomitant endometrial cavity fluid,leiomyoma and adenomyosis.The accuracy of the detection of myometrial involvement by ultrasound was 82.05%,and the detection of cervical involvement was 82.05%.The demonstration rate of blood flow in endometrial carcinoma was 84.61%(33/39).The RI value ranged between 0.36 and 0.54,0.45 in average.CONCLUSION The transvaginal ultrasonography is able to accurately evaluate the size of the uterine,endometrial alterations and changes of hemodynamic,as well as the involvement of the myometrium and cervix.It,therefore,can provide important information for clinicians to establish a operation strategy and predict clinical outcomes.