The use of endovaginal ultrasound to diagnose invasion of endometrial carcinoma.

Endovaginal ultrasound was used in 30 women to characterize endometrial carcinoma with respect to myometrial invasion according to FIGO recommendations for surgical staging of endometrial cancer. The ultrasound data were correlated to macroscopic findings of the uterine specimen and to histopathology. Using endovaginal ultrasound, the sensitivity of detecting myometrial invasion of > 50% was 15/19 or 79%. However, the positive predictive value was 100%, in all cases when ultrasound suggested myometrial invasion of > 50%. This was confirmed on histopathological examination of the tumor specimen. Cervical tumor extension was correctly diagnosed in all six women in which it was present. Endovaginal ultrasound seems to be a reliable method of assessing tumor invasion and engagement of the cervix. This non-invasive method could be included as an important tool in the establishment of individualized treatment programs in women with endometrial carcinoma. Copyright 1992 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology