Ultrasound Elastography in Benign Gynecology: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Imaging
• Medical Ultrasound
• Biomechanical Properties

Background:

• Ultrasound elastography (UE) is an emerging technology assessing tissue stiffness.
• Its application in benign gynecologic conditions remains under investigation.
• Standardized protocols and reference values are lacking for gynecologic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of literature on UE in benign gynecology.
• To identify current applications and future research directions for UE in this field.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search of EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane databases was performed.
• 40 English-language studies published between 2013-2022 were included.
• Data on UE technology, gynecologic applications, and limitations were extracted.

Main Results:

• Shear wave elastography was the most common UE method (23 studies).
• Key applications included diagnosing adenomyosis/fibroids (27.5%), pelvic floor assessment (22.5%), and evaluating polycystic ovaries (17.5%).
• Limitations include lack of reference values and challenges with deep tissue assessment.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasound elastography demonstrates potential in various benign gynecologic applications.
• Further research is essential to validate UE for both normal and pathological gynecologic conditions.
• Establishing reference values and improving deep tissue assessment are crucial for clinical implementation.