TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND: WHAT IT IS AND WHEN IT IS NEEDED

Transvaginal ultrasound, also called TVS (Trans-Vaginal Sonography), is an examination that, through images, studies the morphology and health of the female internal genital organs, ie the uterus, ovaries and appendages. It is often performed on women. in pregnancy, to find out more details about the fetus and the state of health of the uterine environment. It is often prescribed as an alternative to traditional pregnancy ultrasound. Let's try to find out more about this diagnostic technique, not known by all women, but extremely useful.

Ultrasound during pregnancy: a video that explains everything!

What are the ultrasound scans to do in pregnancy? How many are there and when are they done? In this video, Dr. De Mita explains everything there is to know to periodically monitor the growth and health of the fetus. Watch the video to understand everything!

How does it work

The transvaginal ultrasound is performed at any time during the cycle and with an empty bladder. The patient is made to lie down and a probe (covered by a sort of condom sprinkled with sterile liquid) is inserted into the vagina, which emits high-frequency and inaudible sound waves. from the human ear. These waves are partly reflected by the tissues they encounter, based on their density. And so we have what is called the "echo phenomenon": the reflected sound waves are picked up by the probe that generated them and then pass to the processing of a computer, capable of creating real-time images of the anatomical parts analyzed.

The differences with transabdominal ultrasound

The transvaginal ultrasound is able to obtain more precise and detailed images, thanks to the proximity of the probe to the elements to be examined and the lack of organs (such as the bladder) and adipose layers that instead encounter the transabdominal pelvic ultrasound. Furthermore, the use of higher insonation frequencies allows to better see anatomical details of the uterus, ovaries and endometrium, which, on the other hand, cannot be reproduced with the transabdominal. transvaginal ultrasound to have a global view of the state of the pelvic organs.

When you need it

The cases in which transvaginal ultrasound is used are mainly those of women with infertility problems or who are subject to abnormal bleeding, often related to fibroids or polyps. Women subject to pelvic pain of unknown origin are also subjected to this examination. those who suffer from amenorrhea or who have congenital malformations of the uterus and ovaries. To these cases are also added the suspicion of infections or tumors. Furthermore, as we anticipated, transvaginal ultrasound can be used at the end of the first month of pregnancy, in when unlike transabdominal ultrasound it is able to first show the images of the embryo. Also in pregnancy, it can also be used later, in case a better visualization of the structures adjacent to the cervix is necessary. Not to be forgotten is its rather frequent use in cases of assisted reproduction.

The safety of these analyzes

It is important to underline that this type of analysis is not dangerous at all, even for pregnant women, as it involves the use of ionizing radiation as in common radiographs.