Contribution of Vaginal Scanning to Sonographic Evaluation of Endometrial Cancer Invasion

Abstract

Vaginal sonography was compared to abdominal sonography in predicting myometrial invasion in 23 women (mean age 59.9 years) undergoing hysterectomy due to endometrial cancer. Vaginal scanning prediction corresponded to histological findings in 87% (20/23) of the cases. in 2 cases the degree of invasion was underestimated and in 1 case overestimated by vaginal sonography. Abdominal sonography was accurate in 78% (18/23) of the cases. Vaginal scanning also improved the sonographic visualization of endometrium and cervical canal. However, in one case a superficial invasion of the cervix was missed by both methods of scanning. Furthermore, in another patient an ovarian cyst of 5 cm located in the upper pelvis was seen by abdominal but not vaginal sonography. We suggest that a sonographic work-up to assess endometrial cancer spread should include both methods of scanning.

Key Words:

• Endometrial cancer
• ultrasound
• vaginal scanning