An ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses ultrasonic sound waves not detectable by the human ear to create a visual representation of otherwise unviewable tissue. One of the most common uses of ultrasound is during pregnancy to observe the foetus.
Ultrasounds can be used in many ways, including inside the vagina, to determine the nature of various conditions of the female reproductive system and pelvis. A sonographer can obtain images of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, uterus, cervix, vagina, and muscles and ligaments. A radiologist interprets findings.
Transvaginal ultrasounds are used to check endometriosis, adenomyosis, cancers, tumours, masses, fibroids, ectopic and uterine pregnancy, ovarian cysts, fistulas, bowel issues, and other anomalies.
A transvaginal ultrasound is used in certain circumstances to gain a much better view of anatomy than a transabdominal ultrasound, and doesn’t use ionising radiation like CT scans, so it is safer. A transabdominal scan may be performed first, followed by a transvaginal ultrasound.
When a transvaginal ultrasound will not be used
It is not appropriate to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound in certain circumstances, including after recent vaginal surgery, in vaginal obstruction, if a pregnant patient has ruptured membranes or bleeding from placenta previa, and when a child does not have parental consent or has an imperforate hymen. Consent is required of all patients.
References
Nahlawi S, Gari N. Sonography Transvaginal Assessment, Protocols, and Interpretation. [Updated 2022 Sep 16]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
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