BACKGROUNDThe vagina and endometrium show varying thickness in response to sex steroids. The vaginal wall layers have oestrogen receptors. This study uses technique described by Balica A. et al.The aim is to compute the two parameters, VMT and VWT in different age groups using transabdominal ultrasonography. Oestrogen regulates growth and function of the vaginal layers, demonstrated in laboratory animal studies. Only few articles describe these parameters.The aim of the study is to compute the two parameters, VMT and VWT using transabdominal Ultrasonography in pubertal, reproductive age group and perimenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODSTransabdominal Ultrasonography was done in 200 patients over four months study period. Total Vaginal Wall Thickness (VWT) and Vaginal Mucosal Thickness (VMT) were measured. RESULTSOf 200 subjects, 14% were in pubertal age group. 58% patients were of the reproductive middle age group (19-45 years) and 28% were of the perimenopausal group (>45 years). Average total VMT measured 0.1024cm for the pubertal group, 0.2991cm for the reproductive group and 0.1205 cm in perimenopausal group, while VWT measures 0.6555 cm, 1.2814 cm and 0.7098 cm for the above groups respectively. CONCLUSIONStudy showed maximum vaginal wall parameters in adult reproductive age group and minimum values in perimenopausal age group.The sexually active group showed highest parameters. Thus, it is imperative to establish standard values based on the sexual activity, and thus, help in medico-legal evaluation of sexually traumatised females. KEYWORDSVaginal Wall Thickness (VWT), Vaginal Mucosal Thickness (VMT), Transabdominal Ultrasonography, Oestrogen. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Suresh KM, James N, Rodriguez MJ, et al. Assessment of vaginal vault parameters in stratified age groups and its social relevance in a South Indian population.

BACKGROUND Focal liver lesions are frequently encountered by radiologists mostly during routine ultrasonography and then are usually evaluated further by contrast enhanced CT. Dedicated triple phase CT helps in studying the nature of the lesion by the timing and pattern of enhancement. For instance, metastasis shows early arterial enhancement and early washout in contrast to Haemangioma which shows delayed wash out following portal phase enhancement. This further narrows the diagnosis which can then be confirmed histopathologically in cases where biopsy is indicated. This study aims at understanding the aptness of USG as first line of imaging in detecting focal hepatic lesions and comparing the findings with CECT and histopathology. The objectives of the study were-1. To determine the diagnostic accuracy and role of ultrasonography in evaluation of focal liver lesions. 2. To compare the findings with contrast enhanced CT. 3. To compute sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ultrasonography in detecting focal hepatic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study spanned over three years. 106 patients who were detected sonographically with focal liver lesions were selected. Patient details including relevant clinical history were recorded. The sonographically detected lesions were subjected to contrast enhanced CT of abdomen, follow up USG and in few cases, with histopathology, to reach confirmatory diagnosis. RESULTS Of the 106 patients, incidence of focal liver lesions was found to be more in males in the ratio of 1.4: 1. Most patients were 41-50 years (24.5%) of age. Right lobe showed predominant involvement-2.9: 1 and both lobes were involved in 26% cases. Contrast enhanced CT was done in all cases and biopsy was done in 24 patients. USG was repeated in 18 cases. Ultrasonography showed: Sensitivity-93.9%, Specificity-98.5% Accuracy-98.4%