Ultrasound features of osseous metaplasia of the endometrium-Case series and review of the literature

Abstract

Osseous metaplasia of the endometrium is a rare condition characterized by abnormal bone formation in the uterine endometrium. The osseous fragments act like a foreign body in the uterine cavity; thus, infertility, menstrual abnormalities, pelvic pain dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia are commonly associated. We present a case series of four women with osseous metaplasia of the endometrium with different symptomatology. Two-dimensional endovaginal examination played a primary role in the diagnosis, the characteristic ultrasound pattern being hyperechoic linear or irregular areas within the endometrium casting posterior acoustic shadowing. Three-dimensional ultrasound better demonstrated the irregular appearance and clearly differentiated the oseous metaplasia from an intrauterine device.

Keywords: 2D ultrasound; 3D ultrasound; Endometrium; Infertility; Osseous metaplasia.