Sonographic evaluation of uterine volume and its clinical importance

The study was conducted to: (i) measure uterine volume in adolescent and perimenopausal age groups with normal pelvic findings and in women with pathological uteri scheduled for surgery, and (ii) utilize uterine volume as a parameter for the management of perimenopausal women scheduled for vaginal hysterectomy.

Data of 800 clinically non-gravid uteri of 16 weeks or smaller size with benign pathology scheduled for vaginal hysterectomy, and 150 adolescent women and 150 perimenopausal aged women with clinically and sonographically normal pelvic findings with normal uteri from the authors private practices were studied to find related sonographic uterine volume. Cases clinically more than 16 weeks size were not included in the study. Normal and pathological hysterectomized uteri were weighed postoperatively to compare their weight with preoperatively estimated uterine volume. Additionally, 200 pregnant women clinically diagnosed as 12 weeks pregnant and without pathology also underwent sonography to estimate their uterine volume.

Uterine volume varied from 15 to 56 cm³ in women with a normal uterus. In 12 week sized non-pregnant benign pathological uteri, as well as pregnant uteri, uterine volume averaged 240 cm³ . Uterine weight was higher when compared with preoperatively estimated uterine volume.

The study results emphasize uterine volume as an important parameter for the management of young and elderly women, particularly with menorrhagia. The uterus is anticipated to weigh more than the uterine volume, which can assist with diagnosis and management.