The inner lining of the uterus (womb) is referred to medically as the endometrium. Endometrial polyps are relatively common intra uterine lesions that are typically benign and many times there are no symptoms of it. The most common type of polyp is the proliferative polyp, representing an overgrowth of endometrial glands and stroma. Endometrial polyps can be associated with postmenopausal and abnormal uterine bleeding as well as infertility.
Dr Steven R. Goldstein is a top obgyn in Manhattan and specialist in non-invasive, painless Transvaginal Ultrasounds and Sonohysterograms for use in diagnosing the cause of pelvic pain, heavy periods (menorrhagia), abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, ovarian cysts, thick uterine lining, and more. The most common symptom of endometrial polyps is abnormal uterine bleeding, which occurs in approximately 68% of both pre and post-menopausal women.
Dr Goldstein, a leading obgyn in Manhattan , uses these transvaginal ultrasounds and Sonohysterograms to help diagnose endometrial polyps. The appearance of these polyps depends on whether the patient is pre-menopausal or post-menopausal. In pre-menopausal women the endometrium can be thick, which camouflages the polyps. In post-menopausal women, when the endometrium is at its thinnest, the polyps may be more obvious.
Due to the aforementioned difficulties in clearly seeing these polyps because of a thick endometrium or not thin enough, a Sonohysterogram is very helpful. During a saline infusion sonohysterogram (SIS), a tiny catheter, the size of a swizzle stick, goes into the cervix a couple of inches tops, and about a tablespoon of sterile saline is injected. The injection of a tablespoon of water into the uterus via catheter pushes the front and back walls of the uterus apart and enables us to see the uterine lining with microscopic precision.
Dr Goldstein personally performs all Sonohysterograms and Transvaginal ultrasounds. While painful endometrial biopsies only sample the area involved, these transvaginal ultrasounds and Sonohysterograms produce clear images of the entire area - uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix and so on. These clear images help Dr. Goldstein properly diagnose the patient and recommend a course of treatment.
Dr Steven R. Goldstein MD, a gynecologist in Manhattan, is a pioneer in the field of gynecological ultrasounds. He is is highly regarded as one of the nation’s best gynecologists and a foremost authority on gynecological ultrasound and imaging. He served as Director of Gynecologic Ultrasound at New York University Medical Center and President of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine among many other roles.