A validated normative model for human uterine volume from birth to age 40 years

Transabdominal pelvic ultrasound and/or pelvic Magnetic Resonance Imaging are safe, accurate and non - invasive means of determining the size and configuration of the internal female genitalia. The assessment of uterine size and volume is helpful in the assessment of many conditions including disorders of sex development, precocious or delayed puberty, infertility and menstrual disorders. Using our own data from the assessment of MRI scans in healthy young females and data extracted from four studies that assessed uterine volume using transabdominal ultrasound in healthy females we have derived and validated a normative model of uterine volume from birth to age 40 years. This shows that uterine volume increases across childhood, with a faster increase in adolescence reflecting the influence of puberty, followed by a slow but progressive rise during adult life. The model suggests that around 84% of the variation in uterine volumes in the healthy population up to age 40 is due to age alone . The derivation of a validated normative model for uterine volume from birth to age 40 years has important clinical applications by providing age-related reference values for uterine volume.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Transvaginal sonographic monitoring of the uterine effects of raloxifene and a continuous combined replacement therapy in postmenopausal women

Objective: To study the effect of 17beta-estradiol + norethisterone acetate and raloxifene on the endometrium and uterine volume in postmenopausal women. Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to 17beta-estradiol 2 mg+ norethisterone acetate 1mg (E-2 + NETA) daily (n = 90) or raloxifene HCl 60 mg (Evista) daily (n = 43). Transvaginal sonography was done at baseline and Lit 6, 12 and IS months, and at 6 and 12 months in-patients treated with E-2 + NETA and EVISTA respectively. Patients were asked to record bleeding-spotting episodes. Whenever required patients were referred for hysteroscopy + biopsy of the endometrium. Results: Patients under E-2 + NETA had a higher bleeding-spotting incidence (48.6%) compared with EVISTA (7.7%). Endometrial thickness increased significantly under E-2 + NETA as compared with baseline: however, at end point thickness reverted to baseline values, Evista had a non-stimulatory effect on the endometrium. Changes in uterine volume were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Both treatment regimens provided comparable uterine safety. However. raloxifene exhibited a more favorable safety profile on the uterus as expressed in the bleeding-spotting incidence and the effect on endometrial thickness and uterine volume. Transvaginal sonography appears to be a dependable method for monitoring the effect of treatment on the uterus. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved