Emergency obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound.

In conclusion, sonography plays a central role in imaging the obstetric and gynecologic emergencies of babies, girls, and adolescents. Transabdominal and transvaginal sonography each have their respective and combined strengths, which depend on the age, size, anatomy, and social and clinical situation of the patient to be imaged. With recent advances in sonographic technology, especially in the current use of higher-frequency transducers and the promise of three-dimensional imaging, we are undoubtedly seeing more anatomy and pathology, and seeing it more clearly. In the sexually mature patient, transvaginal sonography provides an exceptional view of the normal uterus and adnexae and the myriad presentations of pelvic pathology. This article has reviewed the sonographic techniques that can be used in imaging the pediatric and adolescent pelvis, and has emphasized some of the many pathologic conditions that can be elucidated by pelvic sonography.