Ultrasound features of neonate and paediatric female pelvis: Developmental change, physiologic and pathologic condition

Abstract

The evaluation of the infant and pediatric pelvis requires the knowledge of the developmental changes occurring in the various stages of pediatric life. To be familiar with imaging findings of uterus and ovary diseases is helpful for diagnosis and preoperative evaluation. The uterus and ovaries undergo remarkable changes in size and appearance over the course of a lifetime. Ultrasonography (US) is the primary modality for the evaluation of the pediatric gynecologic organs. Variable physiologic and pathologic condition may arise from ovary including physiologic and functioning follicles, corpora lutea, hemorrhagic cysts, endometriomas, polycystic ovaries and ovarian tumors. For hydrometrocolpos, most cases present in adolescent period presenting with amenorrhea and cyclic lower abdominal pain. Hernia of uterus and ovary commonly occurs in infant. Herein, we present ultrasound imaging findings of morphologic change and various diseases involving female pelvis organ in infant and pediatric patients. It is helpful to be familiar with the spectrum of ultrasound image findings of the normal and abnormal female reproductive tract in infant and pediatric patients to avoid misinterpretation.