Ultrasonographic quantification of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle using computer-assisted analysis

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Sep;50(3):297-300. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2011.01.016.

Abstract

Objective: Sonographic gray-scale histogram is used to assess the endometrial changes in the different phases of the menstrual cycle. The objective was to examine the usefulness of a gray-scale histogram and computer-assisted image analysis software in assessing normal physiologic states of the endometrium with sonography.

Materials and methods: Thirty-eight patients, who visited the Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital and matched the eligibility criteria, were categorized into one of three groups: (1) menstrual phase; (2) follicular phase; and (3) luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Ultrasonography of the uterus was performed on each patient and the endometrium was analyzed with ImageJ image analysis software.

Results: A statistically significant difference in signal intensity scores of the gray-level histogram, represented as m(j), was found among the three groups.

Conclusion: Sonographic images analyzed by using computer-assisted image analysis software and gray-level histogram are proven to be useful in assessing the physiological state of the endometrium.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Algorithms
  • Endometrium / diagnostic imaging*
  • Endometrium / physiology*
  • Female
  • Follicular Phase / physiology
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Luteal Phase / physiology
  • Menstrual Cycle / physiology*
  • Menstruation / physiology
  • Registries
  • Software
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Young Adult