IUP WITH FIBROID
Patient arrived for a dating ultrasound. Her gestational age per LMP was 9w1d. The exam began transabdominally. This is an important step. While transvaginally scanning is the gold standard for early first trimester dating, viewing transabdominally first gives you an overall view of the pelvis. This prepares you for the transvaginal approach by showing you the position and location of the uterus as well as any adnexal masses.
The above images show a sagittal and transverse slice of the uterus with a transabdominal approach. The image on the left is a sagittal (longitudinal) slice, the image on the right is a transverse slice. The purpose of transabdominal imaging is to take a wide view of the pelvis. Note the position of the uterus, sweep all the way through and evaluate the adnexa bilaterally. Here you can see that the fundus is pointing more posteriorly. This is a retroverted uterus. Now you know that when you insert the vaginal probe you will be pointing posteriorly to identify the fundus and gestation sac.
This is a sagittal slice of the uterus. Notice that the fundus is pointing to the right side of the screen. Remember your orientation. A retroverted uterus sits more posterior than the cervix. When the probe is orientated in a sagittal plane, anterior is on the right and posterior is on the right (see labels). So when you have a retroverted uterus the fundus will be located on the right side of the screen.
The above image was acquired by pointing the probe anteriorly. Note the cervical canal and the hypoechoic mass. Before stopping to evaluate the mass, finish the uterine assessment. Sweep completely through. See below.
Once you sweep through in a sagittal or longitudinal plane, rotate the probe toward counterclockwise. The notch should now be pointing to the patient’s right side.
See below.
Sweep from cervix to fundus. Once you have completely evaluated the uterus it is time to address the mass and then the pregnancy. The mass in the lower uterine has classic characteristics of a leiomyoma. It is dense, with a swirly appearance and clear boundries. Measure the fibroid in 3 planes- Long + AP + Trans.
Remember to add color.
Once you have completed the evaluation of the fibroid, assess the pregnancy. Note from the transverse images that the gestation sac not only sits posteriorly but also to the right of midline. So to evaluate the pregnancy you will need to point the probe posterior and slightly right of midline.
Not the yolk sac, umbilical cord and fetus.
Remember to lay out the fetal pole and measure the CRL three times.
And assess fetal heart tones with M-Mode. We reserve pulse wave for the second and third trimester.
Don’t forget to plug the measurements into the calculation package. Print the report page comparing the average ultrasound age and the calculated gestational age via the last menstrual period.
The difference is only 3 days so the EDD remains 12/8/14.
Julie Gaston (BS, RDMS, RVT) graduated from McNeese State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Radiology. She received her ultrasound education at the Institute of Ultrasound Diagnostics. She has been in the field for over 20 years and in that time has managed departments, traveled the country scanning, and founded OnSite Ultrasound which was acquired by Mint Medical Education in 2012. She directed the ultrasound education department of Mint. There she created ultrasound educational lectures and videos. She led teams in the creation of application videos for equipment manufacturers including Philips, Zonare, and Mindray. She created custom courses for corporate clients and produced education videos for device manufacturers. She wrote blogs for social media and facilitated MMETV where professionals could share information. She lectured and led hands-on scanning workshops. While Julie also teaches general and vascular ultrasound, her passion is in OB. She worked at the University of San Francisco Prenatal Diagnosis Center and has co-authored a text book entitled, “Introduction to OB-GYN Ultrasound for the Medical Practitioner.” She is passionate about advancing the use of ultrasound in medicine, responsibly. She has created courses for medical professionals that allows their clinical knowledge to merge with imaging.