Evaluation of the Accuracy of Transvaginal Sonography for the Assessment of Retained Products of Conception After Spontaneous Abortion

Abstract

Transvaginal sonography (TVS) was used to assess uterine contents in 100 consecutive subjects presenting with a diagnosis of spontaneous abortion. TVS assessments were correlated with findings at subsequent evacuation of retained products of conception (ERPC). There was a strong correlation between the weight of the surgical specimen at ERPC with both the sagittal (r = 0.76; p < 0.05) and transverse (r = 0.73; p < 0.05) plane area measurements of the uterine cavity. Combining the 2 sonographic measurements increased the correlation to r = 0.81 (p < 0.05). Fifteen of 25 subjects who had been categorised to have an ‘empty’ uterus had less than 5 g of tissue removed and the other 10 subjects less than 10 g of tissue. In 20 of these 25 cases, the surgeon described the amount of curettings as ‘small or non-significant’. TVS can accurately identify those women who do not have a significant amount of residual uterine tissue following spontaneous abortion.

Best predictors of grayscale ultrasound combined with color doppler in the diagnosis of retained products of conception

“…Most of the literature is based on grayscale sonographic features that include the following: (1) focal echogenic endometrial mass; (2) thickened endometrium; (3) complex endometrial fluid 9–14, 19–25. Of these features, the most useful predictor of RPOC is reported to be a focal echogenic mass in the endometrium 10, 13.…”

Clinical and psychological impact after surgical, medical or expectant management of first‐trimester miscarriage – a randomised controlled trial

“…The complete miscarriage was defined as an empty uterus or homogenous intrauterine dimension measuring <11 cm 2 (sagittal plus transverse plane) on transvaginal ultrasound examination. 21 The clinical symptomatology of miscarriage and its complications from treatment, women's satisfaction and the psychological impact after different treatment modalities were also evaluated.…”

Sonographic appearance of the uterine cavity following administration of mifepristone and misoprostol for termination of pregnancy

“…In contrast to these studies, other reports claim that ultrasound is a good diagnostic tool for assessment of residual postabortion remnants. Chung et al 25 reported that transvaginal sonography was accurate for assessment of retained products of conception after spontaneous abortion. In this report, a strong correlation was found between the weight of the surgical specimen at evacuation and the extent of the findings in the uterine cavity measured via sonography.…”