J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  1999 Dec;18(4):299-304.

Transvaginal Sonography of Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

• Choi JS
• Kim YH
• Shin HC
• Han GS
• Kim IY

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the value of transvaginal sonography in evaluating women with acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
MATERIALS and METHODS
Transvaginal sonography was performed in 25 patients with clinically suggested PID during recent 36 months. The sonographic findings of fallopian tubes and ovaries were analysed and correlated with pathological findings of 22 fallopian tubes and 19 ovaries in 16 patients who had operations.
RESULTS
The correct diagnosis of acute PID was made in 20/25 (80%) by transvaginal sonography. The abnormal sonographic findings of the fallopian tube include tubal thickening or dilatation with internal echo. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for tubal abnormality were 88%, 96%, and 86%, respectively. Ovarian changes were seen on TVS in 14/19 (73%), which include multiple follicular enlargement in 5, tubo-ovarian complex in 9 (tubo-ovarian adhesion in 3, tubo-ovarian abscess in 6). At surg e r y, the ovary was not involved in all three women who showed tubo-ovarian adhesion on TVS. Among 6 women who showed tubo-ovarian abscess on TVS, tubo-ovarian abscess was confirmed in 3 and the remaining 3 had ovarian cysts.
CONCLUSION
Transvaginal sonography, a facilitative and accurate modality, is highly sensitive in detecting the abnormality of the tube and useful in differentiating the tubo-ovarian complex in patients with acute PID.

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Diagnosis
Dilatation
Fallopian Tubes
Female
Humans
Ovarian Cysts
Ovary
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Ultrasonography