Transvaginal probe ultrasonography. Diagnostic or outcome advantages in women with molar pregnancies

This study attempted to determine whether patients with molar pregnancy initially evaluated by transvaginal ultrasound had earlier diagnoses and superior outcomes than did similar patients initially evaluated by only transabdominal scans. The medical records of 71 patients with molar pregnancy evacuated at the University of California at Los Angeles and affiliate hospital Olive View Medical Center between 1975 and 1988 were reviewed. Eight patients did not have ultrasound imaging prior to evacuation, and three had missing films. The remaining 60 patients were divided into two cohorts: 19 had transvaginal scans, while 41 had transabdominal scans only. The groups were compared retrospectively. Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound did not appear superior to the less expensive and less invasive transabdominal approach in identifying patients with molar pregnancy. These patients generally present with uteri over 10 weeks in size and often much larger; the gestation can be well visualized abdominally through the bladder window. Our study demonstrated no differences in outcome between patients from the two imaging groups.