Gynecological emergency ultrasound in daytime and at night: differences that cannot be ignored

Virtual Compared With In-Clinic Transvaginal Ultrasonography for Ovarian Reserve Assessment

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate noninferiority of virtual transvaginal ultrasonography compared with in-clinic ultrasonography for ovarian reserve assessment.

METHODS

We conducted a single-site, head-to-head crossover trial. Participants performed self-administered virtual transvaginal ultrasonography at home, guided by a remote-certified ultrasound technologist, then underwent transvaginal ultrasonography in-clinic with another ultrasound technologist. Participants were women in the greater Boston area interested in evaluating ovarian reserve and recruited through social media, health care referrals, and professional networks. The uterus and ovaries were captured in sagittal and transverse views. These randomized recordings were reviewed by two or three independent, blinded reproductive endocrinologists. The primary outcome was noninferiority of the rate of clinical quality imaging produced at home compared with in clinic. Sample size was selected for greater than 90% power, given the 18% noninferiority margin. Secondary outcomes included antral follicle count equivalency and net promoter score superiority.

RESULTS

Fifty-six women were enrolled from December 2020 to May 2021. Participants varied in age (19-35 years), BMI (19.5-33.9), and occupation. Ninety-six percent of virtual and 98% of in-clinic images met "clinical quality." The difference of -2.4% (97.5% CI lower bound -5.5%) was within the noninferiority margin (18%). Antral follicle counts were equivalent across settings, with a difference in follicles (0.23, 95% CI -0.36 to 0.82) within the equivalence margin (2.65). Virtual examinations had superior net promoter scores (58.1 points, 97.5% CI of difference 37.3-79.0, P<.01), indicating greater satisfaction with the virtual experience.

CONCLUSION

Virtual transvaginal ultrasonography remotely guided by an ultrasonography technologist is noninferior to in-clinic transvaginal ultrasonography for producing clinical quality images and is equivalent for estimating antral follicle count. Virtual transvaginal ultrasonography had superior patient satisfaction and has potential to significantly expand patient access to fertility care.

FUNDING SOURCE

This study was sponsored by Turtle Health.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04687189.

[Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - Synergies between Family Practices and Gynaecological Specialised Assessment]

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - Synergies between Family Practices and Gynaecological Specialised Assessment Abstract. The 'pelvic inflammatory disease' (PID) describes an ascending inflammation of the upper female genital tract, beginning with a local cervicitis and proceeding to endometritis and adnexitis. It is a common clinical picture with rising numbers in recent years, and it occurs both in gynaecological and general practice. The symptoms are often unspecific, discrete or althogehter lacking. In order to reduce long-term risks of chronic pelvic pain, sterility and/or ectopic pregnancies, rapid diagnosis followed by immediate therapy and a good interdisciplinary cooperation are necessary. Screening programs for chlamydia and gonococcus as the most common pathogens of PID have not yet been implemented in Switzerland so far.