Abstract
Transabdominal and endovaginal sonograms of 40 patients with 48 nonuterine pelvic masses were reviewed retrospectively. The two techniques were compared with regard to the following characteristics of the mass: (1) size and visualization, (2) border thickness, and (3) internal architecture. A good correlation between transabdominal and endovaginal size measurements was observed in 75% of the cases. The endovaginal technique was better than the transabdominal technique in detecting thickened borders in 40% of the cases. Endovaginal demonstration of internal characteristics was also found to be superior to transabdominal in 60% of the cases. From this study, it is evident that transabdominal and endovaginal sonography each have their own limitations and advantages. For this reason, an optimal gynecologic study of the adnexa should include both techniques in order to arrive at proper clinical diagnoses.