26 Normal uterine size.pmd

Knowledge of the normal dimensions of the uterus is important for evaluating the health status of women and for forecasting the risk of developing some of the many diseases seen by gynaecologists and obstetricians. Ultrasonography is particularly suited to the diagnostic investigation of uterine size because it limits the patient’s exposure to ionizing radiation, permits multi-sectional scanning of organs and is convenient and relatively inexpensive to use [1]. It is currently possible to predict the development of diseases such as uterine myoma and adenomyosis if the specific sonographic measurements are known [2]. Vaginal and abdominal sonography are effective for determining the dimensions of the uterus, allowing the organ to be examined to a potential depth of 10 cm (if the patient retains a full bladder). It is necessary to use a transmitter with a long focal centre, for which real-time scanning is the method of choice [3]. The 3 dimensions of the uterus must be assessed. Length is measured from the fundus to the external os. The anteroposterior diameter is the maximum length in the midsagittal section of the body of the uterus in the anteroposterior direction. For evaluation of the length and anteroposterior diameter, the probe is located on the suprapubic area in a longitudinal direction. For estimation of uterine width, it is suggested that the transducer be rotated up to 90 degrees to facilitate assessment of the transverse diameter. Uterine width is the maximum measurement obtained in a cross-section of the fundus [4,5].