Ultrasound imaging in gynaecological practice

This chapter provides an overview of the contribution of ultrasound examination to the evaluation of gynaecological conditions. Ultrasound imaging can be used to assess women with a history of acute or chronic pelvic pain. The imaging allows a quick non-invasive assessment of the pelvis and abdomen and it may be used as the first line investigation of patients with pelvic pain to confirm or exclude the provisional diagnosis based on clinical history. Ultrasound imaging determines the extent of ovarian and adnexal involvement in women with pelvic inflammatory disease. Ultrasound is helpful in assessing women with a history of post-menopausal bleeding and it can distinguish between women with post-menopausal bleeding who need to undergo invasive testing from those who do not require any intervention. Ultrasound is used to determine both the pregnancy location and viability. Transvaginal ultrasound has an important role in the study of female fertility.