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USING ULTRASOUND FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

USING ULTRASOUND FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS Advanced Women's Imaging is now providing targeted ultrasounds for the diagnosis of deeply infiltrating endometriosis. What is endometriosis? It is the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. It is found most commonly on the ovaries and the pelvic peritoneum. What is deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE)? Endometriosis can also deeply infiltrate the bowel (especially the recto-sigmoid colon), uterosacral ligaments, bladder and vagina, causing implants, nodules and fibrosis. Why is DIE important? The diagnosis of endometriosis is often delayed, with many women suffering symptoms for years before an accurate diagnosis is made. Symptoms of DIE vary widely. A woman with DIE may be asymptomatic, or she may have symptoms including severe dysmenorrhoea and dyschezia. DIE can be a complex condition to manage, especially if surgical intervention is necessary, being one of the most complicated surgical problems

WILL I HAVE 3D/4D IMAGES DURING MY PELVIC ULTRASOUND?

WILL I HAVE 3D/4D IMAGES DURING MY PELVIC ULTRASOUND? There is a diagnostic role for 3D/4D ultrasound in pelvic scans, although the conventional 2D ultrasound still provides most of the information for the doctor. A conventional 2D ultrasound of the pelvis will always be performed initially, with 3D/4D images added as needed. At Advanced Women’s Imaging, our ultrasound probes are capable of performing both the conventional 2D ultrasound as well as 3D/4D ultrasound. You do not need a separate ultrasound to obtain 3D/4D images if these are required. 3D/4D ultrasound can obtain views of the pelvis that are not seen on the conventional 2D ultrasound, especially views of the uterus. 2D ultrasound can obtain longitudinal and transverse views of the uterus. 3D ultrasound adds in the coronal view (or C-plane) of the uterus, enabling us to get an image of the uterus that is “front on”. 3D/4D ultrasound may help in the diagnosis and assessment of pelvic conditions, including: Congenit

WHAT WILL I SEE ON MY PELVIC ULTRASOUND?

WHAT WILL I SEE ON MY PELVIC ULTRASOUND? The pelvic ultrasound will usually examine a number of anatomic structures: The uterus.  Common disorders affecting the uterus include uterine fibroids (benign muscular growths) and adenomyosis (benign infiltration of the endometrium into the surrounding uterine muscle). Both these conditions are commonly associated with heavy and/or painful periods. The endometrium (the lining of the uterus).  The endometrium changes appearance throughout the menstrual cycle. It is usually thin just after the periods have finished and before ovulation (the proliferative phase). The endometrium becomes progressively thicker and whiter on ultrasound as the menstrual cycle progresses after ovulation (the secretory phase). The endometrial thickness is measured and the appearances of the endometrium are noted. A common disorder causing abnormal vaginal bleeding is an endometrial polyp (a growth of the endometrium). Sometimes a saline sonohysterogram may be s

HOW IS A PELVIC ULTRASOUND PERFORMED?

HOW IS A PELVIC ULTRASOUND PERFORMED? Most pelvic ultrasounds are performed using both the transabdominal and transvaginal approaches. Transabdominal ultrasound  involves scanning through your lower abdomen. Transabdominal ultrasound usually provides an overview of the pelvis rather than detailed images. The transabdominal assessment is particularly helpful for the examination of large pelvic masses extending into the abdomen, which are not always well viewed with transvaginal ultrasound. A small amount of ultrasound gel is put on the skin of the lower abdomen, with the ultrasound probe then scanning through this gel. The gel helps improve contact between the probe and your skin. Transvaginal ultrasound  is an internal ultrasound. It involves scanning with the ultrasound probe lying in the vagina. Transvaginal ultrasound usually produces better and clearer images of the female pelvic organs, because the ultrasound probe lies closer to these structures. The transvaginal ultra