Gynecologic ultrasonography

From ArticleWorld

Gynecological Ultrasonography is a medical imaging technique that uses ultrasound to visualize and evaluate the female pelvic organs. Also called a “GYN ultrasound” or pelvic ultrasound, this procedure evaluates the female uterus, ovaries and Fallopian tubes and can see some abnormalities of the bladder or in the pelvic area outside the reproductive organs.

Medical uses

The gynecologic ultrasound is used in the evaluation of several pelvic conditions. A woman with unexplained pelvic pain, bleeding or suprapubic (above the pubic bone) swelling is often evaluated using this type of ultrasound. Conditions that can be seen via gynecological ultrasound include ovarian cysts or masses, uterine fibroids, metastatic cancer in the pelvis or fluid in the pelvis, often from a ruptured ovarian cyst. Gynecologic ultrasonography can evaluate whether or not ovarian follicles are being made in cases of infertility or as a part of fertility treatment. If a fertilized egg has implanted and begun development inside the Fallopian tubes instead of the uterus (called an ectopic pregnancy), an ultrasound can sometimes see it before it ruptures into the pelvic cavity. A special procedure, called a sonohysterography, uses an ultrasound to evaluate the inside of the uterus after fluid is instilled into it. This makes small problems, such as uterine polyps, more visible.

Gynecological ultrasonography can be done by using a probe which travels over the surface of the abdomen or by using an intravaginal probe, which is inserted into the vagina. The intravaginal technique can better visualize the ovaries and the Fallopian tubes. It is often used to direct a physician toward areas on the ovaries that contain mature egg cells, which are then “harvested” using a needle that punctures the follicles and collects the mature eggs inside.

Obstetric uses

Almost every pregnant woman in the Western world receives at least one ultrasound of her pelvic organs and of the developing fetus. A pregnancy can be detected as early as five weeks gestation. Follow-up ultrasound evaluations demonstrate the number of fetuses and their development. Possible congenital defects and the gender of the fetus can be identified. Ultrasonography is also used to direct a physician using a needle to sample the chorionic villae (early in pregnancy) or the amniotic fluid (later in pregnancy) for chromosome and other types of fetal examinations.

Gynecological ultrasonography began as a two-dimensional black-and-white image of the pelvic organs or fetus. With the advancement of technology, an image that is in color and is three-dimensional can now be seen. Because ultrasonography has become more detailed and because it is not invasive, it remains the mainstay of gynecological imaging.