OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation of preoperative pelvic examination and ultrasonography with the laparoscopic findings in 45 adolescent women with chronic pelvic pain. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 1992, 45 adolescent women underwent diagnostic laparoscopy following a detailed clinical workup for evaluation of chronic pelvic pain. RESULTS: Thirty-five of 45 pelvic examination findings correlated with the laparoscopic findings. The predictive values of normal and abnormal findings at pelvic examination were 42.8% and 93.5%, respectively. Ultrasonography (US) correlated with laparoscopy in 39 of 45 cases. The predictive value of normal findings at US was 60%, and that of abnormal findings was 94.2%. When both pelvic examination and US were normal, 50% of cases were abnormal at laparoscopy. However, laparoscopy revealed abnormality in 100% of patients with abnormal pelvic examinations and abnormal US findings. CONCLUSION: Clinical evaluation of chronic pelvic pain, when combined with US, is highly predictive but needs confirmation, best provided by laparoscopy.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation of preoperative pelvic examination and ultrasonography with the laparoscopic findings in 45 adolescent women with chronic pelvic pain. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 1992, 45 adolescent women underwent diagnostic laparoscopy following a detailed clinical workup for evaluation of chronic pelvic pain. RESULTS: Thirty-five of 45 pelvic examination findings correlated with the laparoscopic findings. The predictive values of normal and abnormal findings at pelvic examination were 42.8% and 93.5%, respectively. Ultrasonography (US) correlated with laparoscopy in 39 of 45 cases. The predictive value of normal findings at US was 60%, and that of abnormal findings was 94.2%. When both pelvic examination and US were normal, 50% of cases were abnormal at laparoscopy. However, laparoscopy revealed abnormality in 100% of patients with abnormal pelvic examinations and abnormal US findings. CONCLUSION: Clinical evaluation of chronic pelvic pain, when combined with US, is highly predictive but needs confirmation, best provided by laparoscopy.