Transvaginal sonography in diagnosis of fallopian tube abscess

Objective:To explore the features of fallopian tube abscess by transvaginal sonography(TVS) and to improve ultrasound diagnosis.Methods:Retrospective analysis was made of the ultrasonographic images of 53 cases pathologically proved to be fallopian tube abscess.Results:In 48 of the 53 cases,TVS made a correct diagnosis.There were 19 fallo-pian tube abscess in single tube,and 29 fallopian tube abscess in bilateral tubes.Seventy-seven masses showed the shapes of tortuous tubes,sausages or retorts used in laboratories.Seventy-one presented incomplete septum of the tubal wall.A thick wall and the cogwheel sign were present in 37.Blood flow around 32 masses were detected.TVS in 5 cases made misdiagnosis.Conclusion:TVS can clearly display contours and internal echoes of fallopian tube abscess as well as the relationship around tissue.Therefore,TVS has great importance for the clinical diagnosis of the diseases.