Predictive value of normal endovaginal sonography in excluding disease of the female genital organs and adnexa.

Abstract

Endovaginal sonograms of all patients that were interpreted normal during 1990 (12 months) were reviewed. Fifty-nine patients with normal EVS (age range, 18 to 63 years; average, 35 years) were followed either clinically for at least 12 months (average, 23 months) (N = 33) or until a definite diagnosis was established by a definitive procedure (N = 26). Of the 33 patients followed clinically, a definite diagnosis was established in nine, whereas in the remaining patients the symptoms resolved without further evaluation. Of the 26 undergoing definitive procedures, a diagnosis was established (six patients) or the procedure revealed normal pelvic organs (20 patients). A missed diagnosis on EVS was defined as failure to see pathologic lesions in the female pelvic genital organs or adnexa. According to our definition, five lesions were missed by EVS. The negative predictive value from a normal EVS was 92%, using patient outcome as the reference standard.