Ultrasound diagnosis of uterine myomas

Minerva Ginecol. 2016 Jun;68(3):297-312. Epub 2016 Mar 25.

Abstract

Myomas represent a large part of benign gynecological pathology, widely spread in fertile female population. First step to diagnose fibroids is ultrasound (US) that can be 2-dimensional (2D), 3-dimensional (3D), Color Doppler (CD) and sonohysterography (SHG). This review develops according to MUSA's sonographic features (Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment). One of the main topic of interest for ultrasonographer today is endo/myometrial junctional zone (JZ), because it may be useful to discern a diagnosis of myoma and adenomyosis. Another important aspect of ultrasound is the analysis of vascularization in front of a uterine lesion. Indeed, vascular pattern can be used to make differential diagnosis between myoma-adenomyosis and leiomyosarcomas. Myomas should be described accurately according to sonographic guidelines. Sonographic features correlated with symptoms should guide an appropriate surgical or medical treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenomyosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenomyosis / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods
  • Leiomyoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Leiomyoma / pathology
  • Leiomyosarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Leiomyosarcoma / pathology
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / methods
  • Uterine Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology