Importance of Transvaginal Elastography in the Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids and Adenomyosis

Frank M., Schäfer S., Möllers M., Falkenberg M., Braun J., Möllmann U., Strube F., Fruscalzo A., Amler S., Klockenbusch W., Schmitz R.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate normal uterine tissue with special regard to age and the presence of uterine fibroids and adenomyosis with transvaginal elastography. Materials and Methods: In a prospective study elastographic data of the uterus were obtained in 206 unselected women with transvaginal ultrasound. Women who presented without any uterine pathology in ultrasonography were included in a control group, women with uterine fibroids in a uterine fibroid group, and women with adenomyosis in an adenomyosis group.?In the control group strain values were measured at two regions of interest (ROIs) placed one upon the other in the anterior inferior uterine segment during a cycle of compression. The maximum strain ratio (ROI1?/?ROI2) was stored as the “age index”. In all groups strain values were measured at two ROIs placed side by side in a uterine fibroid (uterine fibroid group) or adenomyosis (adenomyosis group) or healthy homogeneous tissue (control group) and adjacent healthy tissue. Maximum strain ratios (ROI3?/?ROI4) were stored as the “lesion index”. Results: The “age index” was significantly negatively correlated with the age of the women (r?=?–0.49, p?