Improved Sonographic Accuracy in the Presurgical Diagnosis of Diffuse Adenomyosis

Abstract

Adenomyosis is a fairly common benign gynecological condition resulting from an exag-gerated growth of the endometrium at the endometrial myometrial interface. Progressive penetration of endometrial glands and stroma into the myometrium can produce the smooth muscle hyperplasia that ultimately leads to uterine enlarge-ment. The disease most commonly affects women 40 to 50 years of age and is associated with a past history of childbirth. Adenomyosis is an important cause of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. Because of its nonspecific nature, until recently, the diagnosis was made only after hysterectomy. Transvaginal sonography, with its concomitant higher resolution, shows renewed promise for the presurgical diagnosis of this disease.