Adenomyosis and Various Ultrasound Features – A Prospective Study

Abstract

Introduction Adenomyosis is a common condition, usually affecting multiparous women over the age of forty. Transvaginal US should be considered the primary imaging modality for the diagnosis of adenomyosis. Nine ultrasonographic signs were described as features of adenomyosis which include globular uterus, myometrial cysts, assymetrical thickening of uterine walls, hyperechoic islands, fan-shaped shadowing, echogenic subendometrial lines and buds, translesional vascularity, irregular junctional zone and interrupted junctional zone Objective: This prospective study was carried out to see the distribution of these ultrasonic features among the patients of adenomyosis Material and Methods: 35 patients with ultrasound diagnosis of adenomyosis were recruited and age, parity, presenting complaint and various ultrasonic features suggestive of adenomyosis were noted Results: In our study, most common ultrasonic feature of adenomyosis noted was irregular junctional zone (100 %) followed by globular uterus (94%). Assymetrical thickening of uterine walls, fan shaped shadowing, hyperechoic islands and myometrial cysts were other common findings. Interrupted junctional zone (25.7%) & translesional vascularity (17%) were least common features. Endometriotic cysts were present in 34% cases of adenomyosis Conclusion: Ultrasound is an important non-invasive, affordable and reliable modality for diagnosis of adenomyosis. Among various signs, irregular junctional zone and globular uterus are most common.