Transvaginal sonography in postmenopausal women.

Transvaginal sonography (TVS) is a recent addition to the diagnostic techniques available for the evaluation of the female pelvis. Our experience in over 200 cases of postmenopausal women is the subject of this synoptic review. Using this technique in 60 women, we were able to detect endometrial changes such as endometrial carcinoma or adenomatous hyperplasia in 81% and in a group of 19 patients myometrial invasion in 84%. Fibroids of different sizes and locations could be recognized, some of them with signs of cystic degenerations. In 48 postmenopausal women, TVS was used to follow the morphologic changes in the endometrium stimulated by hormone replacement therapy. Histological features of the endometrium were in close correlation with the sonographic patterns obtained. Ultrasound evaluation has been suggested as a possible screening tool for early changes in ovarian size and morphology. Fifty patients were evaluated for the effectiveness of TVS to detect ovarian pathology. The sensitivity and specificity were 83% and 100%, the same as that of gross examination of the ovary at the time of surgery. It seems that TVS is a reliable tool in the detection of early changes in the postmenopausal ovary, but further evaluation in a large population is necessary to assess the usefulness of TVS as a routine screening tool for early ovarian carcinoma. Twenty-nine postmenopausal women with unilateral simple cysts (diameter less than or equal to 5 cm) were identified. All exhibited benign histopathologic changes. We conclude that small (less than 5 cm) postmenopausal cysts have a low incidence of malignancy and could be followed by TVS without immediate surgical intervention.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)