Assessment of myometrial invasion at the invasion site of an endometrial carcinoma by ultrasonography along with an intrauterine catheter.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate by transvaginal ultrasonography (TVU) the thickness of the intact myometrium at the presumed tumor-origin site and to establish criteria for a half myometrial invasion.

METHODS

A total of 19 successive patients with endometrial cancer who were treated between January 1, 1997, and January 31, 1998, participated in this study. TVU mode B with and without the use of an intrauterine silicon catheter was performed.

RESULTS

Using a catheter, the origin site was correctly detected in 15 cases (79%). The best criterion for half myometrial invasion was a 6-mm thickness of the intact myometrium at the origin site. The sensitivity/specificity/accuracy of TVU with the use of a catheter in cases with the correct estimated origin site, were 1.00/0.67/0.86 for myometrial invasion < 1/2, and 0.67/1.00/0.86 for myometrial invasion > or = 1/2.

CONCLUSION

It is of value to use 6-mm as the criterion for the thickness of the intact myometrium at the estimated tumor-origin site in connection with TVU with the use of a catheter for preoperatively assessing half myometrial invasion.