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Learn about bedside ultrasound, scanning protocols, probe selections, and imaging techniques in assessing pelvic pain patients. Discover how to identify IUP, establish fetal viability, and localize foreign bodies or sources of pain.
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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