Uterine peristalsis: Comparison of transvaginal ultrasound and two different sequences of cine MR imaging

Purpose To compare uterine peristalsis as seen on two different magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences and transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS), so as to better determine the best method for evaluating uterine peristalsis. Materials and Methods Eleven women in the periovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle underwent TVUS and cine MR imaging within a time period of three hours. Findings on cine MR images obtained with a serial 60 half‐Fourier acquisition single‐shot turbo spin‐echo (HASTE) sequence and a 300 true fast imaging with steady‐state precession (FISP) sequence were compared with TVUS. Results The image quality of the HASTE technique was the best among the three methods, followed by TVUS, and then true FISP technique (P < 0.001). Uterine peristalsis was detected in 100% of subjects using HASTE, 82% with True FISP, and 100% with TVUS. With HASTE technique, true FISP, and TVUS, respectively, endometrial stripping movement was identified in 100%, 82%, and 100%; direction was identified in 100%, 45% (P = 0.014), and 73%; and wave conduction toward the outer myometrium was identified in 55%, 9% (P = 0.025), and 0% (P = 0.014). Conclusion Cine MR imaging by HASTE technique with a time resolution of two seconds best delineated uterine peristalsis compared to that by true FISP technique or with TVUS. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:463–469. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.