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Radiological Reasoning: Algorithmic Workup of Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding with Endovaginal Sonography and Sonohysterography

¹ Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
² Present address: Department of Radiology, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 E 210th St., Bronx, NY 10467.

OBJECTIVE

The workup of endometrial abnormalities can be a confusing task for radiologists because one must take into account the patient's clinical history, imaging findings, and a wide array of diagnostic options. We present two cases, one of a premenopausal woman presenting with vaginal bleeding and another of a postmenopausal woman taking tamoxifen who has abnormal findings on endovaginal sonography. The evaluations of these patients serve to illustrate the diagnostic algorithm for identification of endometrial pathology.

CONCLUSION

Imaging plays a central role in the algorithm for detection of endometrial disorders in women with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Endovaginal sonography is used to identify mural abnormalities such as fibroids and adenomyosis and to screen for thickened endometria that require nonfocal biopsy for the diagnosis of cancer or hyperplasia. Sonohysterography serves as a triage tool to detect focal abnormalities of the endometrial cavity, such as endometrial polyps or subendometrial fibroids, thereby identifying those women who require more invasive workup with hysteroscopy.

Keywords: algorithm • endometrium • premenopause • postmenopause • tamoxifen

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