Transvaginal Ultrasound Health Article

Definition

A transvaginal ultrasound, also called transvaginal sonogram (TVS), is an ultrasound that uses an internal probe, or transducer, that enters the vaginal cavity. Either a radiology technician or physician performs the test, and a radiologist interprets the results.

Purpose

An internal probe allows for closer access to the structures that need evaluation. With closer access, higher frequency sound waves can be used, which provides a clearer image due to better resolution. It is often used to evaluate suspected cancer or abnormal growths in the female reproductive system.

Precautions

While the transvaginal ultrasound produces a clearer image, it may also create false positive results. This can lead to unnecessary testing to further evaluate the condition, with its accompanying physical and emotional impact.

Description

The transvaginal ultrasound uses a small, wand-like transducer, or probe, which is inserted into the vagina. The probe emits high-frequency sound waves, which are not audible by humans. These sound waves painlessly bounce off the structures in its path. The returning echo wave is picked up by the probe. This information is fed into an attached computer that then creates an image, or sonogram, on a screen. It can differentiate between structures that are solid, such as a tumor, or filled with fluid, such as a cyst. It can be used to measure the thickness of the lining of the uterus, as well as of other organs.

A technique called color flow Doppler imaging may be used to evaluate the blood flow to certain structures. This can be helpful in establishing whether blood flow has been obstructed or enhanced to an organ. It cannot tell if a solid mass is malignant or benign. Other tests, such as a biopsy, would be needed to gather that information. It is done on an outpatient basis, is less expensive than imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and is considered safe, using sound waves rather than radiation to generate an image.