Can Ultrasound Detect Uterine Adhesions?

Uterine adhesion poses significant harm to women. It not only prevents women from becoming pregnant, but also leads to gynecological inflammation if left untreated for a long time. Surgical treatment is required to address uterine adhesion, which is usually caused by multiple intrauterine surgeries that damage the interior of the uterus and lead to intrauterine infections. The area and degree of uterine adhesion vary, resulting in different impacts on women. However, it is crucial to treat uterine adhesion promptly.

Uterine adhesion cannot be directly detected by B-ultrasound unless it reaches a certain degree. While B-ultrasound may indicate incomplete continuity of the endometrium, it is not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis of uterine adhesion. In severe cases, B-ultrasound may reveal striated changes in the uterine cavity. However, mild uterine adhesion is often undetectable by B-ultrasound and is usually discovered during pregnancy. The most accurate method for diagnosing uterine adhesion is hysteroscopy, which serves as the gold standard for diagnosis. If uterine adhesion is confirmed, surgical separation can be performed under hysteroscopy.

Patients with uterine adhesion may experience symptoms such as reduced menstrual flow, infertility, menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), amenorrhea, and intense pressure pain in the lower abdomen. Therefore, it is essential to seek timely treatment if uterine adhesion is detected.

The symptoms of uterine adhesion include:

1. Periodic abdominal pain, which is a common but often overlooked symptom of cervical adhesion.

2. Amenorrhea, which may occur in cases of complete adhesion. Partial intrauterine adhesion may manifest as reduced menstrual flow but normal menstrual cycles. However, reduced menstrual flow can also be caused by other factors.

3. Post-pregnancy complications such as habitual abortions, placental abruption, and preterm delivery. These complications occur due to intrauterine adhesions that damage the endometrium and reduce the uterine volume, affecting normal embryonic implantation and fetal survival.

4. Infertility, which is the most severe symptom of cervical adhesion. Further evaluation with hysteroscopy is recommended to assess the specific extent of adhesions. Mild adhesions may be managed with medication, but surgical intervention is often necessary for severe cases to avoid compromising fertility.