Sonographic visualization of normal‐size ovaries during pregnancy

Abstract

Transvaginal sonography is adequate for the visualization of both ovaries in the first trimester of pregnancy. With advanced gestational age, the ovaries were significantly less visible by TAS. Sonographic scanning of the ovaries in second and third trimester should be concentrated mainly at the level of the iliac spine. Poor sonographic visualization of both ovaries in late gestation may mandate the use of other imaging modalities.

The clinical characteristics and sonographic findings of maternal ovarian torsion in pregnancy

“…In the current study, the measurements of the contralateral ovaries were incomplete, and we could not evaluate any difference in their sizes. This may be because of the technical difficulty in the sonographic evaluation of the ovaries in advanced gestation (10). Another sign of ovarian torsion that may be lacking in pregnancy is the edematous appearance of the stroma.…”

A Study of Adnexal Masses in Pregnancy

“…After the first trimester, transabdominal ultrasound was able to visualize both ovaries only 16% of patients, and in 60% of patients, neither ovary could be identified. 14 Therefore, the detection of adnexal pathology via ultrasound (Smaller growths) becomes less sensitive as the gestational age increases. The incidence of adnexal pathology detected in the first trimester varies from 0.2 to 6%, 15 whereas in the second and third trimesters, it is 4.1%.…”

Adnexal Masses in Pregnancy: Diagnosis and Management

“…In the second and third trimesters, transabdominal ultrasound was able to visualize both ovaries only 16% of the time, and in over half of cases (60%), neither ovary could be identified. 7 Because the ovaries are more easily visualized by ultrasound in the first trimester, it is not surprising that adnexal masses are diagnosed more often in early pregnancy. 8 In addition to improved visualization of the ovaries it is the fact that a significant number of ovarian cysts resolve with advancing gestation.…”

“…39 The rate of ovarian torsion in patients with a known adnexal mass varies from 1 to 7%. 4,7,36 This number depends on the gestational age when the adnexal mass was diagnosed and the method used to confirm torsion. Of patients who require surgical management of adnexal masses in pregnancy, torsion is the most common acute complication with an incidence of 5 to 44%.…”