A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF ROLE OF ULTRASOUND AS AN IMAGING MODALITY IN THE UTERINE MASSES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Pelvic ultrasound is a noninvasive diagnostic examination which allows quick visualization of the female pelvic organs and structures including the uterus cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The most widely used methods of pelvic ultrasonography are transabdominal real time scanning and transvaginal real time scanning. This study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound as an imaging modality in uterine masses in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and methods: This prospective study was conducted over a period of one year from February 2021 to January 2022 in the department of Radiology, Maheswara Medical College, Isnapur, Patancheruvu, Telangana. During this period, a total of 40 patients were referred to the Department of Radiodiagnosis for the evaluation of uterine masses on the basis of high clinical suspicion. All the patients underwent ultrasound examination. These included both inpatients as well as outpatients. Detailed history was recorded as per proforma. Results: A total of 40 patients were referred to the Department of Radiodiagnosis for the evaluation of uterine masses on the basis of high clinical suspicion. They were radiologically evaluated by ultrasound. Benign uterine fibroids were observed in 36 cases, while endometrial carcinoma was reported in 4 cases. On histopathological examination the 4 masses which were diagnosed as endometrial carcinoma were found to be submucosal leiomyoma. Intramural leiomyoma was seen in 24 cases. Subserosal leiomyoma was seen in 12 cases and submucosal leiomyoma in 2 cases. Hyperechoic masses were seen in 12 cases and hypoechoic in 24 cases. All were of solid echotexture. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is usually the initial diagnostic examination performed in the elucidation of uterine and adnexal masses, because of superb delineation of the pelvic organs through the fluid filled urinary bladder. Thus, to conclude, ultrasound is an effective imaging technique for evaluation of uterine masses and determining the consistency of the mass