Intrauterine adhesions: Detection with transvaginal US

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability of transvaginal ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of uterine adhesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transvaginal US was performed before hysteroscopy as part of the routine diagnostic work-up in 77 women who had repeated spontaneous abortions. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for transvaginal US in the diagnosis of uterine adhesions. Hysteroscopic findings were considered the reference. RESULTS: Uterine adhesions were correctly identified with transvaginal US in 10 of the 11 women in whom this finding was subsequently confirmed at hysteroscopy. The adhesions were minimal in 10 instances and moderate in one. The sensitivity of transvaginal US was 91%, the specificity was 100%, the positive predictive value was 100%, and the negative predictive value was 98.5%. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal US, which is a noninvasive and relatively inexpensive procedure, seems to be effective in screening for uterine adhesions in a population at risk.