Ultrasound Evaluation Versus Direct Measurement of Uterine Cavity Length

Ultrasound Evaluation Versus Direct Measurement of Uterine Cavity Length: a Prospective Study

To determine if uterine cavity length on transabdominal pelvic ultrasound corresponds to uterine cavity length at time of IUD insertion. If transabdominal pelvic ultrasound is validated as a tool for measuring uterine cavity length, it can be used to guide physicians and subsequently patients in IUD insertion planning.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Contraception; Dysmenorrhea; Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Transabdominal Ultrasound

Detailed Description

Levonogesterel (progestin only) IUDs have been used in the adult population for decades and due to their safety and efficacy are now successfully used in the nulliparous and adolescent population for menstrual regulation, dysmenorrhea, and contraception. IUDs have the highest continuation rate among teens of all forms of contraception at 12 months (86%). IUDs reduce menstrual flow by 90% 12 months post insertion, decrease menstrual cramp severity, and have greater than 99% effective contraception. All of this make IUDs an attractive option for our teens and their caregivers

At time of IUD insertion, a uterine sound is used to measure the cavity length. A sound is a rigid instrument that is placed inside the uterus to directly measure the uterine cavity length and is the standard first step prior to IUD insertion. The cavity length will ultimately determine the type and size of IUD that can be placed. Two manufacturers, Mirena ® and Sklya ® are currently being used in clinical practice. Mirena requires uterine cavity length between 6-10 cm and Sklya requires 4-8 cm length. To determine this length requires a pelvic exam and the use of uterine sound, however, approximately 50% of our patient population is unable to tolerate pelvic exams due to a variety of factors, such as developmental disabilities or pain. Thus, this requires patients to go under general anesthesia to have their IUD placed. The goal of this study is to determine if the actual uterine cavity length corresponds to the transabdominal measurement of the uterine cavity length.

Uterine size is largely under the influence of estrogen and as an adolescent progresses through puberty the dimensions of the uterus change. Given that a large portion of families seeking menstrual suppression & regulation present relatively close to menarche (mean age of 12.3 years old) there is a precedent for an institutional standard for pre-IUD insertion transabdominal ultrasound to ensure the uterus is of sufficient caliber

Prior research has focused on those undergoing intra-operative placement of a Mirena IUD. In one retrospective chart review of 56 adolescent patients with developmental disabilities, there was a 3.7% (2/56) failure rate of intra-operative IUD placement (abandoned IUD insertion in the operating room after anesthesia administration). One failure was due to the pelvimetry of the child and the other was due to a uterine cavity length of 4cm which was deemed insufficient for the Mirena IUD. In addition, two other patients had a uterus sound to less than 6 (5cm and 5.5cm) and Mirena was inserted anyways (Skyla was not available). About half of these patients had a pre-operative transabdominal US of the pelvis and the total uterine length was measured with an average length of 8.3cm. All uterine cavities were measured intra-op with an average length of 7.4cm.

Ultimately, all prior research has measured the length of the full uterus (uterine fundus, body of the uterus, and cervix) which is not representative of the measurement in question for IUD placement, the uterine cavity length. We propose a prospective cohort pilot study to compare transabdominal ultrasound measurements with uterine sound measurements to determine uterine cavity length. If these measures correlate, transabdominal US could be a validated pre-insertion tool for the physician and patient to avoid unnecessary anesthetic events and have appropriate IUDs available for insertion.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 42
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Maura Sien, RT(R); Phone Number: 8163026065; Email: mesien@cmh.edu
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Amie Robinson, BSRT(R)(MR)CCRP; Phone Number: 8163028311; Email: alrobinson@cmh.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Missouri
    • Kansas City, Missouri, United States, 64108
      • Children's Mercy Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 12 years to 22 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Females age 12 - 22 years old at time of transabdominal ultrasound whom are being considered for IUD placement as part of routine clinical care will be approached for inclusion in the study.
• IUD inserted between 12/1/19 and 12/1/20
• Received a transabdominal US of the uterus

Exclusion Criteria:

• US never performed
• Mullerian anomaly

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Transabdominal Ultrasound; All patients enrolled will undergo a transabdominal ultrasound at a specified time point as outlined in the protocol.	Diagnostic test: Transabdominal Ultrasound; Transabdominal Ultrasound

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Quantify Temporal Relationship between Transabdominal Ultrasound and Uterine Sound	To determine if uterine cavity length on ultrasound corresponds to uterine cavity length at time of IUD insertion	Within 60 days of enrollment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Ashli Lawson, MD, Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City; Principal Investigator: Julie Strickland, MD, Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Usinger KM, Gola SB, Weis M, Smaldone A. Intrauterine Contraception Continuation in Adolescents and Young Women: A Systematic Review. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2016 Dec;29(6):659-667. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2016.06.007. Epub 2016 Jul 4.
• Savasi I, Jayasinghe K, Moore P, Jayasinghe Y, Grover SR. Complication rates associated with levonorgestrel intrauterine system use in adolescents with developmental disabilities. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2014 Feb;27(1):25-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2013.08.010. Epub 2013 Dec 4.
• Dizon CD, Allen LM, Ornstein MP. Menstrual and contraceptive issues among young women with developmental delay: a retrospective review of cases at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2005 Jun;18(3):157-62. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2005.03.002.
• Lacy J. Clinic opinions regarding IUCD use in adolescents. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2006 Aug;19(4):301-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2006.05.013. No abstract available.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 6, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 31, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): February 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 8, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 8, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): June 11, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): February 28, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 24, 2023
• Last Verified: February 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Uterine Diseases; Hemorrhage; Menstruation Disturbances; Pelvic Pain; Uterine Hemorrhage; Dysmenorrhea; Menorrhagia
• Other Study ID Numbers: STUDY00001082

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No