In a prospective study, 15 pregnant patients with a total of 7 leiomyomas and 10 focal myometrial contractions were evaluated with color flow imaging. Images were graded based on vascularity. Leiomyomas were grade III (hypervascular) in 85.7% and grade II (peripheral flow only) in 14.3% of cases. Contractions were grade I (hypovascular) in 80% and grade II in 20% of cases. Contractions involving the placenta demonstrated vascularity adjacent to the myometrium at the placentation site. Color flow imaging is useful when used in conjunction with two-dimensional findings to differentiate between leiomyomas and focal myometrial contractions during pregnancy.
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