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Pelvic Ultrasound - What To Think About
About this test
- Ultrasound costs less than other tests that make pictures of organs and structures in the body, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). But in some cases, a CT scan or an MRI may also be needed to confirm a problem, such as cancer.
- With pelvic ultrasound, your health professional can usually tell the difference between a fluid-filled cyst, a solid tumor, or another type of lump. This is one of the main advantages of an ultrasound. An abnormal lump needs more testing. A follow-up ultrasound is often done in 6 to 8 weeks because many problems go away on their own within that time. Pelvic ultrasound cannot determine whether a lump is cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). A biopsy may have to be done for this.
- Another method, called hysterosonography, may be done during transvaginal ultrasound to check lining of the uterus (endometrium). A hysterosonogram also can show whether a woman's fallopian tubes are open, which can be part of an infertility check. A hysterosonogram is done by filling the uterus with sterile saline during transvaginal ultrasound.
- Transvaginal ultrasound is used during fertility checks to help guide the removal of ovarian follicles for in vitro fertilization.
- Fetal ultrasound can be done to see your baby (fetus). For more information, see the medical test Fetal Ultrasound.
- If male problems, such as a big prostate, are found on ultrasound, more testing may be done. For more information, see the medical tests Digital Rectal Examination (DRE), Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), and Prostate Biopsy.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: June 17, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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