Diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of point-of-care ultrasound in the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding: a systematic review

Diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of point-of-care ultrasound in the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding: a systematic review | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 19 February 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of point-of-care ultrasound in the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding: a systematic review Authors : Maureen Makama 0000-0002-4164-3702 [email protected] , Annie McDougall 0000-0003-1182-6679 , Samia Aziz , Lorena Romero , Kate Mills 0009-0003-6262-7220 , Mairead Connolly , Anne Ammerdorffer 0000-0002-1059-061X , Marta Suarez F , and Joshua P Vogel Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177148684.45363227/v1 111 views 91 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) affects one-third of reproductive age women globally. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can assist in diagnosing some causes of AUB. Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of POCUS for assessing AUB in non-pregnant women. Search strategy: MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, WHO Global Index Medicus, and Web of Science were searched from January 2000 to July 11, 2025. Preprint servers, trial registries and AI-assisted tools were also searched. Selection criteria: Studies using portable, handheld or AI-guided POCUS for transabdominal ultrasound versus conventional ultrasound or other diagnostic procedures were included. Data collection and analysis: Findings were narratively synthesised following Synthesis Without Meta-analysis guidelines. Main results: Seven studies were eligible (three peer-reviewed articles, one pre-print, and three abstracts). One study (n=70, some concerns of bias ) found POCUS had high sensitivity and specificity for identifying intrauterine device position versus transvaginal ultrasound. Another (n=162, some concerns of bias ) reported high accuracy (>80%) for measuring uterine longitudinal diameter, measuring uterine volume >160cm 3 and detecting fibroids ≥20 mm; but poor sensitivity for small fibroids (23%) and polyps (9%). A third study (n=40 , low risk-of-bias ) showed POCUS detected endometrial pathology and fibroids with high accuracy compared to transabdominal ultrasound. Another (n=50, low risk-of-bias ) found POCUS comparable to transvaginal ultrasound for triage but missed 4% of ovarian cysts. Conclusions: Evidence on the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of POCUS for assessing AUB in non-pregnant women is limited. POCUS may aid in evaluating some causes like large fibroids, but further research is needed, particularly on its performance when used by less-experienced operators. Supplementary Material File (pocus review_180226.docx) Download 131.56 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 19 February 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords gynaecology: diagnostic imaging imaging systematic reviews Authors Affiliations Maureen Makama 0000-0002-4164-3702 [email protected] Burnet Institute View all articles by this author Annie McDougall 0000-0003-1182-6679 Burnet Institute View all articles by this author Samia Aziz Burnet Institute View all articles by this author Lorena Romero Alfred Health View all articles by this author Kate Mills 0009-0003-6262-7220 Burnet Institute View all articles by this author Mairead Connolly Burnet Institute View all articles by this author Anne Ammerdorffer 0000-0002-1059-061X Concept Foundation View all articles by this author Marta Suarez F Concept Foundation View all articles by this author Joshua P Vogel Burnet Institute View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 111 views 91 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Maureen Makama, Annie McDougall, Samia Aziz, et al. Diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of point-of-care ultrasound in the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding: a systematic review. Authorea . 19 February 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177148684.45363227/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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