Uterine Fibroids

Hi I am 53 years old and just had a transvaginal ultrasound. The results say I have three fibroids but it also said endometrial stripe is 4mm and ill defined. What does this mean

Thank you
Debbie

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  The "endometrial stripe" refers to the innermost layer lining the uterine cavity, which appears as a "stripe" on ultrasound. A stripe thickness of greater than 5 mm is abnormal and needs to be investigated further, usually by means of a biopsy.  Your endometrial stripe thickness of 4 mm is normal.

[DButtercup11832]

Thank you for your answer. The fibroids measured  posteriorly 2.2x1.5x1.7cm.In the left side of uterus is a 1.81.8cm fibroid and a 0.9x1.0x1.0 cm  fibroid. Does this mean a hysterectomy? Also slightly ill defined endometrial stripe.

Thank you
Debbie

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  The ill-defined endometrial stripe is nothing to worry about.  The sonologist is probably just having some technical problems in viewing the stripe because it's thin.  But as I have mentioned in my earlier post, a stripe thickness of 4mm is normal.  The absolute size of the fibroid does not determine whether surgery is necessary or not.  If the fibroids are causing symptoms, like bleeding or severe persistent pain, then a hysterectomy probably becomes mandatory.