Evaluation of endometrial receptivity in women with unexplained infertility by shear wave elastography

Zheng-Ying Li; Lu Cai; Zhi-Jun Zhang; Hai-Rong Zou; Mei He; Mei-Lin Qin; Hui Wang

doi:10.1186/s13244-024-01646-3

Evaluation of endometrial receptivity in women with unexplained infertility by shear wave elastography

Insights Imaging. 2024 Mar 22;15(1):85. doi: 10.1186/s13244-024-01646-3.

Authors

Zheng-Ying Li¹, Lu Cai¹, Zhi-Jun Zhang¹, Hai-Rong Zou¹, Mei He¹, Mei-Lin Qin¹, Hui Wang²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ultrasound, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 55 University Middle Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 401331, China.
² Department of Ultrasound, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 55 University Middle Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 401331, China. 792591079@qq.com.

Abstract

Objectives: The endometrium of most unexplained infertility (UI) patients has been altered histologically. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is utilized to assess the signature of living tissue. This study aimed to explore the value of SWE in evaluating endometrial receptivity (ER) in UI patients.

Methods: In total, 59 UI patients (UI group) and 52 normal control women (NC group) who received fertility consultation in our hospital were included between January 2022 and June 2023. We divided them into the late-proliferative phase of UI group (LPUI; n = 59), mid-secretory phase of UI group (MPUI; n = 41), late-proliferative phase of NC group (LPNC; n = 52), and mid-secretory phase of NC group (MPNC; n = 45). Transvaginal ultrasonography and SWE were performed during the LP and MP. Endometrial thickness (EMT), uterine artery pulsatility index (UA-PI), endometrial mean elasticity (E-mean), and mean shear wave velocities (SWV-mean) were measured.

Results: There were significant differences in E-mean, SWV-mean, EMT, and UA-PI between the UI group and the NC group during both the LP and MP (p _{MPNC vs MPUI} < 0.05, p _{LPNC vs LPUI} < 0.05). E-mean and SWV-mean decreased with increasing EMT but increased with increasing UA-PI (p < 0.05). The most effective parameter for evaluating ER in UI patients is the E-mean (AUC = 0.89).

Conclusions: UI patients exhibited thinner endometrium, increased endometrial stiffness, and poor endometrial blood perfusion. E-mean was the most effective parameter to evaluate ER in UI patients. The study preliminarily proved that SWE is a promising non-invasive tool for evaluating the condition of endometrium.

Critical relevance statement: This study aimed to explore the significance of endometrial elasticity measured by SWE in evaluating patients with UI. The findings revealed a correlation between EMT, UA-PI, and E-mean. Endometrial elasticity can serve as an effective indicator for predicting ER.

Key points: 1. To explore the significance of endometrial elasticity in assessing patients with UI. 2. The endometrium of UI patient exhibited thinness, stiffness, and poor blood perfusion. 3. Endometrial elasticity serves as a valuable indicator for evaluating endometrial receptivity.

Keywords: Elasticity; Endometrial receptivity; Endometrium; Shear wave elastography; Unexplained infertility.