Three-dimensional ultrasonographic reconstruction of the uterine cavity: toward virtual hysteroscopy?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of diagnosing intrauterine abnormalities, using a "virtual endoscopy" technique based on 3D hysterosonographic data. Five patients who presented intrauterine abnormalities (polyps, n=2; leiomyomas, n=3) underwent 3D transvaginal hysterosonography. The 3D data set was subsequently processed by using a proper software that creates virtual endoscopy images. After ultrasonographic examination, patients had a conventional hysteroscopy. In all patients intrauterine lesions were easily and reliably detected by computer-reconstructed 3D hysterosonography. Images obtained by this "virtual hysteroscopy" technique, including fine intrauterine details, were remarkably comparable to those obtained by conventional hysteroscopy. The results of this pilot study indicate that computerized reconstruction of 3D hysterosonography offers adequate visualization and characterization of intrauterine lesions.

Three-Dimensional Endorectal Ultrasound Using a New Freehand Software Program: Results in 35 Patients with Rectal Cancer

“…They stated that 3D EUS facilitated the anatomical interpretation of ultrasound ima− ges and reduced procedural difficulties with scanning. Previous experience using 3D EUS using mechanical miniprobes has been reported for cardiovascular procedures [18], and using rigid elec− tronic probes for the assessment of gynecological tumors [19,20]. More recently, 3D EUS findings using mechanical mini− probes have also been reported for pancreaticobiliary diseases [3,6,9] and anal diseases [7].…”

Congenital malformations of the female genital tract: the need for a new classification system

“…However, two-dimensional ultrasound using the transabdominal and/or transvaginal route, as well as sonohysterography later, were major noninvasive steps forward in the diagnosis of congenital malformations, and a real improvement was made with the introduction of three-dimensional ultrasound, enabling the physician to estimate both the endometrial cavity and the outer shape of the uterus in a more accurate and patient-friendly way (7,42,(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56)(57)(58). More recent advances in the field of computer science and ultrasound offer the opportunity for the three-dimensional computerized ultrasound reconstruction of the uterine cavity, a diagnostic approach that could be undertaken as virtual hysteroscopy (59).…”

Role of 3‐Dimensional Sonography in the Assessment of Submucous Fibroids: A Pilot Study

“…Three-dimensional saline infusion sonography offers adequate visualization and characterization of intrauterine abnormalities and is reported to be a reproducible method for the quantification of the percentage of protrusion of a submucous fibroid. 2,[20][21][22][23][24][25] Unfortunately, 3D transvaginal sonography is not widely investigated.…”