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Sonographic Imaging of the Female Patient with Pelvic Pain/ Bleeding. Sarah A. Stahmer MD Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center. Case Presentation. 24 yo female presents with missed period, cramping, midline abdominal pain and spotting VS: BP 120/80 HR 110 Pelvic:
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Sonographic Imaging of the Female Patient with Pelvic Pain/ Bleeding Sarah A. Stahmer MD Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center
Case Presentation • 24 yo female presents with missed period, cramping, midline abdominal pain and spotting • VS: BP 120/80 HR 110 • Pelvic: • Cervical os is closed with minimal bleeding • No CMT, adenexa symmetric • Urine hCG is +
Case presentation • A bedside ultrasound is performed • The US reveals an IUP • The patient is discharged to home with threatened abortion precautions • LOS = 30 minutes • Applies to 60% of pts
Role of Bedside Sonography • Identify an IUP • Establish fetal viability
Secondary Indications • Hemodynamic instability in a female pt • Trauma and pregnancy • Localization of IUD/foreign body • Identify sources of pelvic pain in non-pregnant patients
Imaging: Transabdominal • Uses a lower frequency transducer: 3.5 –5 mHz • Better penetration, larger field of view • It should be the initial imaging window to assess for • Advanced IUP • Fibroids/masses • Pelvic fluid • The bladder should be full to provide an acoustic window
Endovaginal • Uses a higher frequency transducer: 6.0-7.5mHz • Provides optimal imaging of: • Endometrium • Myometrium • Cul-de-sac • Ovaries • A full bladder is not necessary for this approach • Is usually better tolerated by patients
Scanning Protocol: Transabdominal • Image the patient before obtaining a urine sample • Can fill the bladder via foley and instill 300 cc NS but… • If the bladder is empty, go directly to TV imaging after the pelvic exam
Probe Selection • “Workhorse”probe • 3.5 to 5.0 MHz • Multi-frequency probe • Good for most cardiac/abdominal applications
Uterus • An oval organ located superior to the full bladder • The maximum size of the non-gravid uterus is 5-7 cm x 4-5 cm • The endometrial stripe is the opposed surfaces of the endometrial cavity
Transabdominal / Transverse view Left Right
Cul-de-sac • Located posterior to the uterus and upper vagina • A small amount of fluid may be seen in mid cycle • A small amount of fluid in the posterior cul-de-sac may be the only sonographic finding in EP
Bladder uterus
Probe Selection • Endovaginal Probe • 5 to 8 mHz variable frequency probe • Up to 180 degree angle of view
Endovaginal Examination • Best performed immediately following the pelvic exam • An empty bladder is required for an optimal endovaginal (EV) exam • A full bladder: • Displaces the anatomy beyond the focal length of the transducer • Will create artifacts that will compromise imaging
Before Performing a TV Exam: • Explain that the EV exam is better for seeing ovaries and early pregnancy • Show the patient the probe • Allow her the option of inserting it herself • Inform her that it is usually more comfortable than the TA exam which requires a full bladder
The transducer probe should be covered with a coupling gel followed by a protective probe cover Non-medicated/ non-lubricated condoms are recommended as a probe cover Patients with latex allergies will require an alternative barrier Air bubbles within the sheath may increase artifacts and compromise imaging
The Uterus • Early in the menstrual cycle • endometrium measures 4-8mm • Secretory phase • endometrium measures 7-14 mm • Post-menopausal patient • endometrial stripe usually less than 9 mm
Endometrial Stripe (ES) Measurements • In the post-partum patient, a thickened ES is suggestive of retained products of conception • In the pregnant patient, an ES measurement of < 8 mm in the absence of an IUP is suggestive of EP • Thickening of the endometrial stripe in the post-menopausal patient with vaginal bleeding should raise suspicions for endometrial carcinoma
Ovaries • Lie posterior/lateral to the uterus • Anterior to the internal iliac vessels and medial to the external iliac vessels • Identified by a ring of follicles in the periphery
Ovaries • After ovulation a corpus luteal cyst may be present • Observed in approximately 50% of ovulating females • Should not be seen beyond 72 hours into the next cycle • Small amount of fluid in the rectouterine pouch may be seen during ovulation
Ovarian Cysts • Follicular cyst (2.5 –10 cm) • Thin, round, unilocular • Functional corpus luteum cyst • Normal up to 16 weeks GA • Appears as a unilateral, unilocular 5-11 cm cyst • Appearance can be highly variable • Hemorrhage inside the cyst not uncommon
Assessment of the Pregnant Patient • Identify gestational sac • Demonstrate a myometrial mantle in the transverse view • Identify yolk sac and/or fetal pole • Note if there is fluid in the cul-de-sac
Gestational Sac • Anechoic area within the uterus surrounded by two bright echogenic rings • Decidua vera (the outer ring) • Decidua capsularis (the inner ring) • This is referred to as the double decidual sac sign (DDSS)
Yolk Sac • First embryonic structure that can be detected sonographically • Visualized approximately 5-6 weeks after the last menstrual period • Bright, ring like structure within the GS • Should be readily seen when the GS sac is greater than 10 mm (using EVS)
Fetal Pole • Can be first seen on EV when the fetus is approximately 2 mm in size • A thickened area adjacent to the yolk sac • The CRL is the most accurate sonographic measurement that can be obtained during pregnancy
A Fetal Heart Beat • An important prognostic indicator • The rate of spontaneous abortion is extremely low (2- 4%) after the detection of normal embryonic cardiac activity • The normal fetal heart rate in early pregnancy is 112-136
Definite IUP • A gestational sac with a sonolucent center (greater than 5 mm diameter) • Surrounded by a thick, concentric, echogenic ring • GS contains a fetal pole or yolk sac, or both
Abnormal IUP • A GS larger than 10-13 mm diameter(TV) or 20mm (TA) without a yolk sac • A GS larger than 18 mm (TV) or 25mm (TA) without a fetal pole • A definite fetal pole without cardiac activity after 7 wks GA
Sonographic Spectrum of EP • Ruptured ectopic pregnancy • Definite ectopic pregnancy • Extrauterine empty gestational sac • Adenexal mass • Pseudogestational sac • Empty uterus
Definite Ectopic Pregnancy A thick, brightly echogenic, ring-like structure located outside the uterus with a gestational sac containing an obvious fetal pole, yolk sac or both.
Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy Free fluid or blood in the cul-de-sac or the intra-peritoneal gutters (hemoperitoneum) This finding and a positive pregnancy test essentially makes the diagnosis!
clot Clot/fluid