Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 8, Issue 10 549-553, Copyright © 1989 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Transvaginal sonography of the endometrium during ovum pickup in stimulated cycles for in vitro fertilization
B. G. Welker, U. Gembruch, K. Diedrich, S. al-Hasani and D. Krebs
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany.
The endometrium of a series of 190 in vitro fertilization patients was
investigated by transvaginal ultrasound. The endometrial pattern was
related to the likelihood of implantation. No such relationship was found
for the thickness of the endometrium. There was not a strong correlation
between the endometrium and hormonal values. However, three endometrial
patterns were detected after hormonal stimulation. The predominant pattern
consisted of an outer hyperechogenic layer and an inner hypoechogenic
layer. This pattern correlated in a positive fashion with subsequent
implantation. It is concluded that the texture of the endometrium at the
time of ovum pickup has a prognostic value for the likelihood of
implantation to occur.
