The psychological and physical benefits of pelvic ultrasonography in patients with chronic pelvic pain and negative laparoscopy. A random allocation trial

Summary Summary In order to establish the physical and psychological value of pelvic ultrasonography coupled with counselling in the management of patients with chronic pelvic pain and a negative laparoscopy, a clinical trial was carried out on 115 patients between 1989 and 1991. Diagnostic laparoscopy was carried out on all subjects and 15 patients found to have organic disease were excluded. The remaining 100 patients were allocated at random into two groups. The first group (n = 50) received ultrasonic counselling sessions. A 'wait and see' policy was adopted with the second group (n = 50). The McGill pain score and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used before and 4 to 9 months after the ultrasonic session. Ten patients failed to attend for follow up (four, scan group; six, controls). Out of the 46 patients of the first group, 13 had significant improvement and 12 were cured using the McGill pain score. Of the 30 patients with abnormal Hospital Anxiety scores, 15 scored normal, and six were borderline at the second assessment. Out of the 44 patients of the control group, four showed significant improvement, one was cured, using the McGill score. Out of the 29 patients with abnormal Hospital Anxiety score, six scored normal, and three were borderline at the second assessment.