Role of sonoelastography in diagnosing endometrial lesions: Our initial experience

Abstract

Context: Real-time elastography is a novel and dynamic imaging technique that is based on the softness or hardness of tissues or organs of interest under the appropriate compression and can be used with conventional ultrasonography (USG) probes after performing grayscale imaging and Doppler USG. Aims: The aim was to analyze the role of sonoelastography in diagnosing endometrial lesions. Subjects and Methods: A prospective study was conducted from August 2016 to 2018. 30 females were included who underwent sonographic examination. Diagnoses were made and later elastograms were obtained. Strain ratios were calculated and the final diagnosis was compared to histopathological diagnoses to evaluate the role of sonoelastography in diagnosing endometrial pathologies. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done be using descriptive and inferential statistic's using chi square test, students unpaired test, sensitivity and specificity and software used in the analysis were SPSS 22.0 version and graft pad prism 6.0 version. Results: Of the total 30 patients, 5 cases were misdiagnosed on USG compared to 1 on elastography which was of atypical endometrial hyperplasia. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound were found to be 90.28%, 80%, and 88.5%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of sonography with elastography were 93.06%, 86.67%, and 91.95%, respectively, showing better results. Conclusions: Sonography coupled with elastography showed better results and can be used to avoid dependency on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging avoiding radiation exposures and high cost, especially in a developing country like India, or unnecessary surgical interventions can also be avoided.