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Transvaginal ultrasonography in persistent trophoblastic tumor
G Mangili1, D Spagnolo, L Valsecchi
1III Department of Obstetrics and Ginecology, University of Milan San Raffaele Hospital, Italy.
Objective:
We assessed the reliability of transvaginal ultrasonography in the detection of uterine involvement in cases of gestational trophoblastic tumor, to establish a possible role of this procedure in the management of such neoplasia.
Study Design:
Transvaginal ultrasonography was performed in six women with gestational trophoblastic tumor at initial diagnosis, during the cytotoxic course when negative beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin levels were obtained, and within 3 to 6 months after the end of chemotherapy.
Results:
In all cases in which metastatic disease was absent intrauterine localization was easily detected by transvaginal ultrasonography; it appeared as endometrial hypoechoic areas and intramyometrial nodules. Favorable response to chemotherapy was determined by a negative serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin determination accompanied by the finding of regression of nodules at transvaginal ultrasonography.
Conclusion:
Our data support the introduction of transvaginal ultrasonography in the management of gestational trophoblastic tumor.