Intracervical US with a high-frequency miniature probe: a method for diagnosing early invasive cervical cancer.

Abstract

To determine whether intracervical ultrasound (US) with a high-frequency miniature probe can depict cervical neoplasms, especially in early invasive stages. Forty-eight women with cervical cancer underwent preoperative transvaginal and intracervical US. US scans were compared with findings from histologic examination or surgery. Intracervical US was completed in 45 of the 48 patients. Both intracervical and transvaginal US were unable to depict preinvasive cancer. Intracervical US depicted the lesion in eight of 16 patients (50%) in whom the depth of cancer invasion was less than or equal to 5 mm, whereas transvaginal US failed to depict the lesion in all 16 patients. Intracervical US depicted the lesions in all 19 patients in whom the depth of cancer invasion was more than 5 mm, whereas transvaginal US was successful only in 14 (74%). Intracervical US is useful for evaluating invasive cervical cancer and is especially suitable for detecting early invasion in the endocervix.