Ultrasonographic quantification of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle using computer-assisted analysis

ObjectiveSonographic gray-scale histogram is used to assess the endometrial changes in the different phases of the menstrual cycle. The objective was to examine the usefulness of a gray-scale histogram and computer-assisted image analysis software in assessing normal physiologic states of the endometrium with sonography.Materials and MethodsThirty-eight patients, who visited the Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital and matched the eligibility criteria, were categorized into one of three groups: (1) menstrual phase; (2) follicular phase; and (3) luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Ultrasonography of the uterus was performed on each patient and the endometrium was analyzed with ImageJ image analysis software.ResultsA statistically significant difference in signal intensity scores of the gray-level histogram, represented as mj, was found among the three groups.ConclusionSonographic images analyzed by using computer-assisted image analysis software and gray-level histogram are proven to be useful in assessing the physiological state of the endometrium.