Sonographic features of uterine leiomyomas: analysis of 41 proven cases

The relative frequencies of the different sonographic features and patterns of uterine leiomyomas have been examined by prospective and retrospective analyses of the sonograms in 41 proven cases. The original sonographic reports correctly predicted the presence of myomas in 27/45 studies (sensitivity = 60 per cent). Retrospective analyses of the sonograms revealed abnormalities in 32/41 patients (sensitivity = 78 per cent). Most myomatous uteri had two or more sonographic abnormalities, most frequently uterine contour irregularity (76 per cent), altered echo texture (68 per cent) and/or enlargement (66 per cent). Minimal contour irregularity at the interface between the uterus and the bladder deserves emphasis as a subtle diagnostic sign of leiomyoma. Careful attention to the uterus in examining a patient referred for an adnexal mass should improve the diagnostic accuracy of myoma detection by sonography.