Preoperative Evaluation of Submucosal Myoma by Virtual Hysteroscopy

Abstract

Study Objective To assess the utility of a new technique called virtual hysteroscopy in the evaluation of the size and location of submucosal myomas before hysteroscopic myomectomy. Design Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). Setting Department of gynecology at a general hospital. Patients Thirteen consecutive women. Intervention Sixteen-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner. Measurements and Main Results Thirteen women with submucosal myomas were examined by virtual hysteroscopy. The lesions were filmed by multislice CT scanner, immediately after CO 2 injection into the uterine cavity with an intravenous dosage of iodide contrast media. The filmed image was subsequently reconstituted and analyzed by endoscopy mode and volume mode using three-dimensional computer graphics software. The size and depth of invasion of the submucosal myoma were clearly identified by the procedure. Conclusion Accurate preoperative evaluation of the size and location of submucosal myomas before hysteroscopic myomectomy is important for a safe surgical procedure. Virtual hysteroscopy can provide such information with good reproducibility and is superior to previously described diagnostic procedures.