Three-dimensional ultrasound inversion rendering technique facilitates the diagnosis of hydrosalpinx

✍ Scribed by Ilan E. Timor-Tritsch; Ana Monteagudo; Tanya Tsymbal

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 348 KB
• Volume: 38
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0091-2751
• DOI: 10.1002/jcu.20707

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Purpose.

To test the utility of three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) inversion rendering technique in the evaluation of fluid‐distended fallopian tubes.

Methods.

Fifty‐two patients with fluid‐filled adnexal masses suspected of being abnormal fallopian tubes were scanned by two‐dimensional and 3D transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS). Six patients had bilateral disease. The acquired volumes were then “inverted” to display a cast‐like appearance of the fluid‐filled structures. The ipsilateral ovaries were identified in all patients. Five patients had acute tubal disease.

Results.

Fifty‐two of the 58 inversion renderings yielded acceptable images of hydrosalpinges. Only in four patients were the two‐dimensional images more informative than the 3D‐rendered and inverted views. In nine patients adjacent corpora lutea, ovarian cysts, and follicles within normal ovaries were also identified, but appeared separate from the fluid‐filled tubes. The tubes in the patients with acute disease were all successfully inverted.

Conclusions.

The 3D inversion technique is a simple and effective way to render fluid‐filled spaces, which may be tortuous and follow various directions. The rendered images increased the confidence in diagnosing hydrosalpinx. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 38:372‐376, 2010