Ultrasound examination: the answer to women's abdominal discomfort

Author: Zhang Meina, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University

Reviewer: Yang Na, deputy chief physician, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University

For many women, abdominal discomfort is often an unspeakable pain that not only affects the quality of life, but may also be a signal of many gynecological diseases. Fortunately, with the advancement of medical technology, ultrasound examination has become an indispensable "puzzle solver" in the diagnosis of gynecological diseases with its non-invasive, convenient and efficient characteristics. So what are the unique charms and advantages of ultrasound examination in revealing the "puzzle" of gynecological diseases? How can it help women quickly and accurately find the cause of abdominal discomfort?

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1. The unique charm of ultrasound examination

Ultrasound is a diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to penetrate human tissue and reflect to form images of tissue structure for doctors to analyze. In the field of gynecology, ultrasound examination has been widely used and recognized for its non-invasive, radiation-free and highly repeatable characteristics. It can not only clearly display the structure of female reproductive organs such as the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes without damaging the patient's body, but also dynamically observe the changes in the status of these organs, providing doctors with valuable diagnostic information.

2. Application of Ultrasound Examination in Diagnosis of Gynecological Diseases

1. Accurately locate uterine fibroids: As one of the most common benign gynecological tumors, uterine fibroids are often accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, increased menstrual flow, and prolonged menstruation. Through ultrasound examination, doctors can clearly see the size, location, number of fibroids and their relationship with surrounding tissues, so as to develop personalized treatment plans for patients. The precise positioning of ultrasound examination can make surgical treatment more accurate and effective, and reduce damage to normal tissues.

2. Early detection of ovarian cysts: Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled cystic structures formed in the ovaries, which can be divided into physiological and pathological types. Physiological ovarian cysts generally disappear on their own, while pathological ovarian cysts may persist and affect ovarian function, and even lead to infertility. Ultrasound examinations can intuitively display the size, shape, internal echoes and other characteristics of ovarian cysts, helping doctors determine the nature of the cysts and take appropriate treatment measures.

3. Confirm endometriosis: Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease that troubles many women. It is characterized by the appearance of endometrial tissue with growth function outside the uterus. This ectopic growth of tissue can cause periodic bleeding and inflammatory reactions, leading to abdominal pain, infertility and other problems. Ultrasound examination can reveal the distribution range of ectopic endometrial tissue through its high-resolution images, helping doctors develop targeted treatment plans.

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4. Evaluate the patency of the fallopian tube: As an important channel for transporting eggs and fertilized eggs, the patency of the fallopian tube is crucial for natural conception. Pathologies such as hydrosalpinx and adhesions may lead to blockage of the fallopian tube, thereby affecting the combination of sperm and egg and causing infertility. Ultrasound examination, especially transvaginal ultrasound examination, can intuitively display the morphology and course of the fallopian tube. Combined with specific techniques (such as hysterosalpingography), it can also evaluate the patency of the fallopian tube, providing an important basis for the diagnosis and treatment of female infertility.

Advantages of Ultrasound Examination

Compared with other gynecological examination methods, such as X-ray and CT, ultrasound examination has significant advantages. First, it does not require the use of radioactive substances, avoiding the potential harm of radiation to the patient's body; second, the examination process is simple and quick, no special preparation is required, and patients have high acceptance; in addition, ultrasound images are intuitive and easy to understand, which helps effective communication between doctors and patients.

With the continuous development of medical technology, ultrasound examination technology is also constantly innovating and improving. The emergence of technologies such as three-dimensional ultrasound examination, four-dimensional ultrasound examination, and ultrasound angiography has made ultrasound examination more accurate and comprehensive in the diagnosis of gynecological diseases. In the future, with the integration and application of technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data, ultrasound diagnosis will become more intelligent and personalized.