Comparison between the Findings of Transvaginal Ultrasonography and Hysteroscopy for the Diagnosis of Endometrial Polyps in Infertile Women

Abstract

Objective: We examined infertility cases with endometrial polyps.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Infertility clinic.
Patients: Fifty-eight infertile women undergoing transvaginal ultrasonography and hysteroscopy
Intervention: Transvaginal ultrasonography and hysteroscopy
Main outcome measures: The size and location of endometrial polyp
Results: We compared the patient group in which the results of transvaginal ultrasonography and hysteroscopy corresponded (Corresponding Group) and the patient group in which the results did not correspond (Non-Corresponding Group). The average size of endometrial polyps in the non-corresponding group (7.8 ± 2.8 mm) was significantly less than those in the corresponding group (12.4 ± 5.1 mm). In the Corresponding Group, 90% of the endometrial polyps were detected within the upper two-third of the uterine cavity (fundal side), and 10% of the endometrial polyps were detected in the lower one-third of the uterine cavity (cervical side). In the Non-Corresponding Group, 44% of the endometrial polyps were detected within the upper two-thirds of the uterine cavity (fundal side), and 56% of the endometrial polyps were detected in the lower one-third of the uterine cavity (cervical side).
Conclusions: Endometrial polyps that are not detected by transvaginal ultrasonography can be identified by hysteroscopy. Because the polyp size was small in the Non-Corresponding Group and more than 50% of the endometrial polyps are located in the lower portion (cervical side) of the uterine cavity, the endometrial polyps in the Non-Corresponding Group may not be a cause of infertility.